Marconi VRC52A in 1952 film. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Heatercathodeshort · 21st Jan 2018, 1:09 pm

This shot of what I think is a Marconi VRC52A [1948] is seen in the film '13 EAST STREET, recently shown on 'Talking Pictures' channel 81 Freeview. The HMV equivalent [1851] has an entirely different appearance. Am I right?

The scene was supposed to be a London flat and the Marconi can be seen in many shots.
The best one is the opening sequence to the London flat. You get a full 3 seconds of it full length and central in the picture. Unfortunately I didn't capture this but someone may have done. Regards, John.

mark pirate · 21st Jan 2018, 1:43 pm

Quote:

Am I right?

Spot on as usual John, you can clearly see the radio in the top of the set.
The HMV had a lid on the radio & half doors over the screen.

Mark

Heatercathodeshort · 22nd Jan 2018, 11:08 am

This is what an example looks like in the flesh.

This series of EMI receivers included a number of models in the HMV and Marconi brands.

My own view is that it was the very best of the EMI range. The performance is incredible with one of the brightest pictures matching anything available 30 years later.

It was EMI's 'Swan Song' This chassis with mains EHT, ended an era to be replaced with unreliable models that finally ended with the close of the television plant in 1957 with Thorn taking over production with just the HMV name rights retained by EMI.

Models fitted with this chassis include the HMV 1805/1806/ 1851 and the massive 1902 radiotelegram. All expensive models sold in surprisingly large numbers.

I think the VRC52A was the only model fitted with this chassis under the Marconi brand but you think you have seen them all to discover a model you have never seen before!

Just a word of warning...If you come across one of these receivers and fancy having a go at restoration, be warned. The 7kv mains derived EHT is LETHAL!
Other than that they are very straightforward but very heavy to handle. John.

21st Jan 2018, 1:09 pm	#1
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Marconi VRC52A in 1952 film. This shot of what I think is a Marconi VRC52A [1948] is seen in the film '13 EAST STREET, recently shown on 'Talking Pictures' channel 81 Freeview. The HMV equivalent [1851] has an entirely different appearance. Am I right? The scene was supposed to be a London flat and the Marconi can be seen in many shots. The best one is the opening sequence to the London flat. You get a full 3 seconds of it full length and central in the picture. Unfortunately I didn't capture this but someone may have done. Regards, John. Attached Thumbnails

22nd Jan 2018, 11:08 am	#3
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Marconi VRC52A in 1952 film. This is what an example looks like in the flesh. This series of EMI receivers included a number of models in the HMV and Marconi brands. My own view is that it was the very best of the EMI range. The performance is incredible with one of the brightest pictures matching anything available 30 years later. It was EMI's 'Swan Song' This chassis with mains EHT, ended an era to be replaced with unreliable models that finally ended with the close of the television plant in 1957 with Thorn taking over production with just the HMV name rights retained by EMI. Models fitted with this chassis include the HMV 1805/1806/ 1851 and the massive 1902 radiotelegram. All expensive models sold in surprisingly large numbers. I think the VRC52A was the only model fitted with this chassis under the Marconi brand but you think you have seen them all to discover a model you have never seen before! Just a word of warning...If you come across one of these receivers and fancy having a go at restoration, be warned. The 7kv mains derived EHT is LETHAL! Other than that they are very straightforward but very heavy to handle. John. Attached Thumbnails