Saw this today! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Tim · 24th Mar 2017, 10:19 pm

Hi all. I saw this very interesting looking set today in a shop window in Midsomer Norton. I asked in the shop and it actually belonged to one of the assistants, and used to be her mother's aunts.
It's about 14" across I suppose, sturdily built and as you can see the tuning windows are to opaque to see any station names. Apparently it is tuned by moving/ turning that knurled knob on the metal shaft. Mw/ Lw and a mains lead emerging from the back. It has a turntable underneath( which suggests a built in aerial. )The badge has what looks like a lion with some lines or possibly sun rays behind. Sockets on the back( no maker) for additional speaker I think, hi/ low wander plug connection on one side( tone?) and an external aerial plug on the other. I wasn't able to take the back off but there were half a dozen or so metalised valves inside. The only one I could identify was a UU6( so Mazda octal?) 1930's then?
Can anyone identify it?

Tim · 24th Mar 2017, 10:24 pm

I don't think it's for sale but I couldn't ask as I was with SWMBO

Cobaltblue · 24th Mar 2017, 10:31 pm

Its a McMichael

Probably a model 808A

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/mcmichael_808_2.html

Very nice

Cheers

Mike T

Boater Sam · 24th Mar 2017, 10:32 pm

Its McMichael, looks similar to a 808,there is also a Bijou portable, but the cabinet is a different shape.

Tim · 24th Mar 2017, 10:52 pm

Gosh that was quick! Thanks.

G0HFCFrank · 25th Mar 2017, 12:59 am

Very nice book matched veneer to the front of this set, an echo of the days thing were done properly. Don't think I can get there and back in the day, otherwise....

Records · 25th Mar 2017, 1:32 pm

Interesting radio but why does that front remind of an airvent ?

24th Mar 2017, 10:19 pm	#1
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Saw this today! Hi all. I saw this very interesting looking set today in a shop window in Midsomer Norton. I asked in the shop and it actually belonged to one of the assistants, and used to be her mother's aunts. It's about 14" across I suppose, sturdily built and as you can see the tuning windows are to opaque to see any station names. Apparently it is tuned by moving/ turning that knurled knob on the metal shaft. Mw/ Lw and a mains lead emerging from the back. It has a turntable underneath( which suggests a built in aerial. )The badge has what looks like a lion with some lines or possibly sun rays behind. Sockets on the back( no maker) for additional speaker I think, hi/ low wander plug connection on one side( tone?) and an external aerial plug on the other. I wasn't able to take the back off but there were half a dozen or so metalised valves inside. The only one I could identify was a UU6( so Mazda octal?) 1930's then? Can anyone identify it? Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." Last edited by Tim; 24th Mar 2017 at 10:28 pm.

24th Mar 2017, 10:24 pm	#2
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Saw this today! I don't think it's for sale but I couldn't ask as I was with SWMBO __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

24th Mar 2017, 10:31 pm	#3
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,865	Re: Saw this today! Its a McMichael Probably a model 808A http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/mcmichael_808_2.html Very nice Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk Last edited by Cobaltblue; 24th Mar 2017 at 10:33 pm. Reason: added link

24th Mar 2017, 10:32 pm	#4
Boater Sam Banned Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines. Posts: 3,897	Re: Saw this today! Its McMichael, looks similar to a 808,there is also a Bijou portable, but the cabinet is a different shape.

24th Mar 2017, 10:52 pm	#5
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Saw this today! Gosh that was quick! Thanks. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

25th Mar 2017, 12:59 am	#6
G0HFCFrank Pentode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 167	Re: Saw this today! Very nice book matched veneer to the front of this set, an echo of the days thing were done properly. Don't think I can get there and back in the day, otherwise....

25th Mar 2017, 1:32 pm	#7
Records Hexode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Harwich, Essex, UK. Posts: 429	Re: Saw this today! Interesting radio but why does that front remind of an airvent ?