Vintage R2R On BBC Drama, Which Model ? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

camtechman · 5th Dec 2016, 12:38 pm

The current BBC drama: "Close To The Enemy" about post WW2 spies/interrogation etc, features a R2R tape recorder and is referred to, by one of the actors, as a German Tape Recorder.

Could be a Magnetophon and, if so, which model ?

Can be viewed on BBC iPlayer Episode 4 (about 3/4's in)

See screen grab:

dave walsh · 5th Dec 2016, 1:43 pm

Yes I saw that CT. It looked German to me and we did recover items at the end of WW2. For the uninitiated, it is a drama but fact based. There's actually much more than one vintage item around, especially in the hidden communications room, eg Disc Cutting units. It's very much worth watching the whole thing [Poliakoff's work is always gripping] even if there are anomalies or the settings look a bit too "clean"... it's a part of his production style.

By coincidence I accessed some [definetly non main stream] material last week which appeared to very much confirm the storyline but I can't possibly comment further

. The woman who is from the War Crimes Unit was very much a real person from a real agency though and I've come across someone who worked there.

Dave W

reel-to-reel-man · 5th Dec 2016, 1:59 pm

I was wondering when this would come on, this is actually my recorder. The story goes...

Their drama department contacted me and wanted to hire my Tonschreiber, they explained to me it would need to turn and that they asked if I had a reel they could use to throw against the wall. I replied with the Tonschreiber didn't work and couldn't work the way they want, I wasn't too eager to lend it out either but I offered this yellow alternative, its a Philips closely resembling the AEG K8

http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/VR...age.asp?IDS=76

I took the name plate off to make it harder to tell.

This was over a year ago now, taken its time to come on TV

camtechman · 5th Dec 2016, 2:26 pm

Brilliant, thanks for the heads up.

And for me, it's the tech star of the show !

camtechman · 5th Dec 2016, 2:31 pm

Quote:

I accessed some material last week which appeared to very much confirm the storyline.

In the opening episode the Captain informs the young girl that's she's in Enfield, so that would be Trent Park, where my late friend's Father was an 'officer'

Ted Kendall · 5th Dec 2016, 3:44 pm

Dramatic licence - the standard recorders for this sort of work were 60rpm acetate discs or wire. Captured Magnetophons were analysed, to be sure, but very little tape existed at the time, so as a practical tool they were a non-starter. Mullin's operation for Crosby came closer to collapse than he would have liked, as he was re-using his stock of 50 rolls of German tape throughout the 1947 season, and 3m's first tapes came on line just in time.

Pretty pictures, though!

reel-to-reel-man · 5th Dec 2016, 5:02 pm

I haven't watched the episode yet so I can't comment what has been said but I do know at some point they will cross that bridge.

I wonder if my machine was one that was captured, I hear many of these had their Nazi logos removed but this one is still intact on the machine, spares box and reels

http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/VR...age.asp?IDS=59

my Tonschreiber came from a Museum auction from the UK

5th Dec 2016, 12:38 pm	#1
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Vintage R2R On BBC Drama, Which Model ? The current BBC drama: "Close To The Enemy" about post WW2 spies/interrogation etc, features a R2R tape recorder and is referred to, by one of the actors, as a German Tape Recorder. Could be a Magnetophon and, if so, which model ? Can be viewed on BBC iPlayer Episode 4 (about 3/4's in) See screen grab: Attached Thumbnails __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

5th Dec 2016, 1:43 pm	#2
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Vintage R2R On BBC Drama, Which Model ? Yes I saw that CT. It looked German to me and we did recover items at the end of WW2. For the uninitiated, it is a drama but fact based. There's actually much more than one vintage item around, especially in the hidden communications room, eg Disc Cutting units. It's very much worth watching the whole thing [Poliakoff's work is always gripping] even if there are anomalies or the settings look a bit too "clean"... it's a part of his production style. By coincidence I accessed some [definetly non main stream] material last week which appeared to very much confirm the storyline but I can't possibly comment further. The woman who is from the War Crimes Unit was very much a real person from a real agency though and I've come across someone who worked there. Dave W

5th Dec 2016, 1:59 pm	#3
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Vintage R2R On BBC Drama, Which Model ? I was wondering when this would come on, this is actually my recorder. The story goes... Their drama department contacted me and wanted to hire my Tonschreiber, they explained to me it would need to turn and that they asked if I had a reel they could use to throw against the wall. I replied with the Tonschreiber didn't work and couldn't work the way they want, I wasn't too eager to lend it out either but I offered this yellow alternative, its a Philips closely resembling the AEG K8 http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/VR...age.asp?IDS=76 I took the name plate off to make it harder to tell. This was over a year ago now, taken its time to come on TV __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk

5th Dec 2016, 2:26 pm	#4
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Vintage R2R On BBC Drama, Which Model ? Brilliant, thanks for the heads up. And for me, it's the tech star of the show ! __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

5th Dec 2016, 3:44 pm	#6
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Vintage R2R On BBC Drama, Which Model ? Dramatic licence - the standard recorders for this sort of work were 60rpm acetate discs or wire. Captured Magnetophons were analysed, to be sure, but very little tape existed at the time, so as a practical tool they were a non-starter. Mullin's operation for Crosby came closer to collapse than he would have liked, as he was re-using his stock of 50 rolls of German tape throughout the 1947 season, and 3m's first tapes came on line just in time. Pretty pictures, though!

5th Dec 2016, 5:02 pm	#7
reel-to-reel-man Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paignton, Devon, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Vintage R2R On BBC Drama, Which Model ? I haven't watched the episode yet so I can't comment what has been said but I do know at some point they will cross that bridge. I wonder if my machine was one that was captured, I hear many of these had their Nazi logos removed but this one is still intact on the machine, spares box and reels http://www.vintagerecorders.co.uk/VR...age.asp?IDS=59 my Tonschreiber came from a Museum auction from the UK __________________ Vintage recorder collector www.vintagerecorders.co.uk