Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

JamesMcp · 23rd Oct 2021, 8:02 pm

Hi everyone,

Can anyone shed some light on the Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder?

I picked one up in a charity shop for £30. Original box and documents. Working perfectly and in pristine condition.

Are these rare radio sets? Been unable to find anything on the brand online

Cheers - I’ll attach a photo.

Cobaltblue · 23rd Oct 2021, 8:07 pm

Hi James and welcome to the Forum.

You can see some of Benksons Products here:

https://www.radiomuseum.org/m/benkson_gb_en_1.html

Cheers

Mike T

JamesMcp · 23rd Oct 2021, 8:19 pm

Cheers Mike!

I couldn't see this particular model on the link attached, but it's a start! Appreciate it

Edward Huggins · 24th Oct 2021, 1:41 pm

These were in the main, Far East/Hong Kong made imported products aimed at the lower end of the market. Usually sold via independent dealers and electrical shops.

paulsherwin · 24th Oct 2021, 2:09 pm

This is a nice clean example though. £30 was a fair price given the condition.

toshiba tony · 24th Oct 2021, 2:48 pm

I seem to remember Benkson was the lower end produce, they were cheap and nasty things. However this seems better than some of their offerings. When I had the shop I generally turned them away, (politely). However this one looks better than the stuff we used to get in, does it function?

paulsherwin · 24th Oct 2021, 2:55 pm

Cheap and nasty is a bit unfair, though they weren't upmarket. They bought models from a range of Far Eastern contract manufacturers and had them badged. The models are very similar to those sold under house brands by the major chains - Prinzsound, Matsui, Saisho, Boots etc.

The cassette player will probably need new belts, though that should only cost a pound or two. It may also need a relube.

Jonster · 24th Oct 2021, 9:41 pm

I remember Benkson radios being sold by Woolworths and Boots back in the 1970s. Basic but good value products that kept many a teenager musically entertained during those times.

nickdoofah · 26th Oct 2021, 2:03 am

This was also sold as a 'Unicom' radio recorder in the late 1970's! Nice build & styling for a cheapie - I like these sets.

23rd Oct 2021, 8:02 pm	#1
JamesMcp Diode Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. Posts: 2	Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder Hi everyone, Can anyone shed some light on the Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder? I picked one up in a charity shop for £30. Original box and documents. Working perfectly and in pristine condition. Are these rare radio sets? Been unable to find anything on the brand online Cheers - I’ll attach a photo. Attached Thumbnails

23rd Oct 2021, 8:07 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,857	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder Hi James and welcome to the Forum. You can see some of Benksons Products here: https://www.radiomuseum.org/m/benkson_gb_en_1.html Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

23rd Oct 2021, 8:19 pm	#3
JamesMcp Diode Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder Cheers Mike! I couldn't see this particular model on the link attached, but it's a start! Appreciate it

24th Oct 2021, 1:41 pm	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,326	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder These were in the main, Far East/Hong Kong made imported products aimed at the lower end of the market. Usually sold via independent dealers and electrical shops. __________________ Edward.

24th Oct 2021, 2:09 pm	#5
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,930	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder This is a nice clean example though. £30 was a fair price given the condition.

24th Oct 2021, 2:48 pm	#6
toshiba tony Heptode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accrington, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 978	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder I seem to remember Benkson was the lower end produce, they were cheap and nasty things. However this seems better than some of their offerings. When I had the shop I generally turned them away, (politely). However this one looks better than the stuff we used to get in, does it function?

24th Oct 2021, 2:55 pm	#7
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,930	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder Cheap and nasty is a bit unfair, though they weren't upmarket. They bought models from a range of Far Eastern contract manufacturers and had them badged. The models are very similar to those sold under house brands by the major chains - Prinzsound, Matsui, Saisho, Boots etc. The cassette player will probably need new belts, though that should only cost a pound or two. It may also need a relube.

24th Oct 2021, 9:41 pm	#8
Jonster Heptode Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 671	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder I remember Benkson radios being sold by Woolworths and Boots back in the 1970s. Basic but good value products that kept many a teenager musically entertained during those times.

26th Oct 2021, 2:03 am	#9
nickdoofah Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Littlehampton, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 142	Re: Benkson VHF:MW:LW RR3 Radio Cassette Recorder This was also sold as a 'Unicom' radio recorder in the late 1970's! Nice build & styling for a cheapie - I like these sets.