Mystery 17" transportable (Baird/Radio Rentals 460 series)

[Colourstar]

Hi Folks

A recent ebay acquition, this was very cheap and I really liked the look of it. As grey as a pair of 1950s school shorts on a foggy morning. Although a transportable, it's as heavy as a table model and even has sockets below for legs, so the designer was clearly hedging their bets!

I've no clue who the manufacturer is though. Not only is the badge on the front missing, but there is no model number or maker ID on the back cover... or inside the back cover... or on the chassis. Not a sausage.

I bet a shilling someone on here will recognise it.

Steve

[G8KBG Tony]

Can't help with the model number Steve, but it looks like the Baird 460 series chassis.

Cheers,

Tony

[Colourstar]

You may well be right there Tone. The Baird badge of the time is the right shape too...

Steve

[Colourstar]

And now confirmed as the Baird/Radio Rentals 460 series!

Steve

[Heatercathodeshort]

That caught me out! I was thinking Defiant, Peto-Scott maybe even a BRW special Murphy.
Looks fantastic and I bet a really easy restoration. Good luck with it. [I secretly wanted it but have FAR too much already..] John.

[MonochromeMarc]

Hi Steve,

It's obvious now with the badge shape what make it is but the fact we both have been staring at the answer with the Baird sets we both already have and never noticed....unbelievable

Well, normally we'd go all 'tractor' with a 'little grey Fergy' but never thought we could go all 'little grey Baird' It Looks like a little corker though, I'm looking forward to seeing it working.

Marc.

[Colourstar]

Thanks Marc, yes it should be a suepr set when it's up and running. Not much time to tinker at the moment but here are some more shots of the chassis. As usual with Baird, access for service is outstandingly good. The chassis releases, slides back and then tilts right over. Every is easy to get at, so full marks there.

Initial observations include some extra resistors bodged in around the dropper - in fact make that plural as there is a secondary short dropper behind the first one. I thought at first it was an additional repair section (as in Jon's recent Vidor set) but this one is properly mounted so may be a factory fit. Also noted- both internal fuses are blown.

Oh and I discovered the set's true indentity when I found the chassis plate under some thick dust. Turns out it's a rental-only model, not for sale.

Steve

[Mikey405]

Hi Steve.

If you'd like some documentation then give this a shot:

http://www.oldtechnology.net/documents/Baird_460.zip

Thanks Steve.

Kind regards.

From Mike.

(Tip-top set BTW.)

[Colourstar]

Wow, brilliant! Thanks Mike. That's very helpful indeed.

Steve

[Mikey405]

No problem Steve.

There's now a better version at the same link as above. (Just tidied up a few odds and ends but I've also included the "FM Radio" version of the 460 in there too.)

http://www.oldtechnology.net/documents/Baird_460.zip

Thanks Steve.

Kind regards.

From Mike.

[Heatercathodeshort]

Originally Posted by Colourstar

Oh and I discovered the set's true indentity when I found the chassis plate under some thick dust. Turns out it's a rental-only model, not for sale.Steve

Keep it quite or the man from Radio Rentals will be round to collect the last 50 years rent...

I often had receivers brought in for repair with the rental companies badge removed.The 'owners' had usually obtained them from unofficial sources such as 'moonlight flits' .

Radio Rentals never sold on their ex rental models.

That is a great model and will no doubt have a 100% LOPT and CRT. Regards, John.