Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

M0FYA Andy · 22nd Apr 2022, 11:07 am

Does anyone here own one of these units, or come across it or any information on it?

Essentially a special-purpose oscilloscope designed for testing of the wartime ASV MkII Radar, I recently bought an example, but it has in the past been very heavily modified into what is probably a more general-purpose oscilloscope.

It would be nice to contemplate returning it to as-built, but without a manual this would be impossible.

I've found a reference to the manual, which is A.P.2563 Chapter 20, but have so far drawn a blank trying to find a copy.

Can anybody help, please?

Many thanks,

Andy

M0FYA Andy · 22nd Apr 2022, 11:08 am

This is the front of the modified unit.

ms660 · 22nd Apr 2022, 11:34 am

You might already have this but I'll include anyways.....There's a drawing in the link below showing the front of the unit and what it's connected to in that particular application (scroll down a long ways to Fig. 35):

http://www.vmarsmanuals.co.uk/archiv...ka_ARI5506.pdf

Lawrence.

HamishBoxer · 22nd Apr 2022, 11:45 am

Maybe or not useful, there is a YouTube video restoring one of these.

M0FYA Andy · 22nd Apr 2022, 11:57 am

Many thanks for both of those replies, I hadn't found either of them!

Andy

M0FYA Andy · 23rd Apr 2022, 2:19 pm

Well I've watched the YouTube video, it isn't what I would class as a restoration of his example of a Test Set 43 as he hasn't attempted to rebuild it to the original circuit, rather he's used components he had available to make it display a trace.
The video is useful as it shows me the original markings on the front panel controls.

So I'm still looking for AP2563 Chapter 20!

Andy

The Philpott · 23rd Apr 2022, 2:27 pm

Most of the knobs on the front are Painton (or is it Paignton?)
I'm not sure when these started to be used- but presume they are original? I associate them more with the 'fifties than the 'forties..

Dave

M0FYA Andy · 23rd Apr 2022, 2:45 pm

I always think of these knobs as 'Marconi knobs', as they were used a lot by Marconi. They could well have been made by Painton.

Andy

22nd Apr 2022, 11:07 am	#1
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 Does anyone here own one of these units, or come across it or any information on it? Essentially a special-purpose oscilloscope designed for testing of the wartime ASV MkII Radar, I recently bought an example, but it has in the past been very heavily modified into what is probably a more general-purpose oscilloscope. It would be nice to contemplate returning it to as-built, but without a manual this would be impossible. I've found a reference to the manual, which is A.P.2563 Chapter 20, but have so far drawn a blank trying to find a copy. Can anybody help, please? Many thanks, Andy

22nd Apr 2022, 11:08 am	#2
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 This is the front of the modified unit. Attached Thumbnails

22nd Apr 2022, 11:34 am	#3
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 You might already have this but I'll include anyways.....There's a drawing in the link below showing the front of the unit and what it's connected to in that particular application (scroll down a long ways to Fig. 35): http://www.vmarsmanuals.co.uk/archiv...ka_ARI5506.pdf Lawrence.

22nd Apr 2022, 11:45 am	#4
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,930	Re: Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 Maybe or not useful, there is a YouTube video restoring one of these. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

22nd Apr 2022, 11:57 am	#5
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 Many thanks for both of those replies, I hadn't found either of them! Andy

23rd Apr 2022, 2:19 pm	#6
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 Well I've watched the YouTube video, it isn't what I would class as a restoration of his example of a Test Set 43 as he hasn't attempted to rebuild it to the original circuit, rather he's used components he had available to make it display a trace. The video is useful as it shows me the original markings on the front panel controls. So I'm still looking for AP2563 Chapter 20! Andy

23rd Apr 2022, 2:27 pm	#7
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,104	Re: Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 Most of the knobs on the front are Painton (or is it Paignton?) I'm not sure when these started to be used- but presume they are original? I associate them more with the 'fifties than the 'forties.. Dave

23rd Apr 2022, 2:45 pm	#8
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Air Ministry Test Set Type 43 I always think of these knobs as 'Marconi knobs', as they were used a lot by Marconi. They could well have been made by Painton. Andy