Wartime Utility Radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Avro626 · 1st Jun 2008, 5:03 pm

A while ago I bought an old Wartime Utility Radio in need of restoration from one of our Forum members (he'll know who he is). Well I have now completed the 'Cosmetic' restoration and thought I would show you it. The cabinet was sanded down,restored and revarnished and the speaker cloth replaced. The internals still need more restoration work but so far so good! Cheers Dave.

Sean Williams · 1st Jun 2008, 5:06 pm

Erm, nice result but they were never varnished in the fiirst place.......

Nickthedentist · 1st Jun 2008, 5:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Williams

Erm, nice result but they were never varnished in the fiirst place.......

Absolutely

But it's said that many owners disliked the crude, bare wood finish, so decided to do something about it when funds and materials permitted.

So, whilst not original, your restored example certainly has a valid place in history.

Nick.

mark pirate · 1st Jun 2008, 5:14 pm

The original finish was just plain waxed pine, i have a totally original example
(made by murphy)

Cheers
Mark

PJL · 1st Jun 2008, 6:41 pm

I think there have been discussions about finish before and I am fairly sure we concluded that different manufacturers had different approaches. My Burndept has dark wood verticals (not pine) almost certainly factory finished as they had used a tint coat. The rest of it was sprayed with a very light clear coat.

helmsman · 1st Jun 2008, 8:56 pm

Nice job. Very posh. I to have a Utility radio that is a little different from others I have seen, in that it has M/W and L/W (Three Knobs on the front) that looks to have been factory fitted. The type of wiring used is the same throughout the set. It is a U5 = FERGUSON.

Avro626 · 2nd Jun 2008, 3:46 pm

Thanks for the comments, I have learnt that in wartime, at a time of "make do with what is at hand" not everything is cut and dried when it comes to "what is original?". I am sure the discussions on this topic could go on for ever! Cheers Dave.

dave walsh · 2nd Jun 2008, 8:19 pm

More distiguished than utility now I think! Wasn't this set intended for a Squadron Exhibition Dave? I tried to find a link at the time. Very incidentally, my set is cream painted pine [pine now showing through everywhere]. Dave W

1st Jun 2008, 5:03 pm	#1
Avro626 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 29	Wartime Utility Radio A while ago I bought an old Wartime Utility Radio in need of restoration from one of our Forum members (he'll know who he is). Well I have now completed the 'Cosmetic' restoration and thought I would show you it. The cabinet was sanded down,restored and revarnished and the speaker cloth replaced. The internals still need more restoration work but so far so good! Cheers Dave. Attached Thumbnails

1st Jun 2008, 5:06 pm	#2
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Wartime Utility Radio Erm, nice result but they were never varnished in the fiirst place....... __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

1st Jun 2008, 5:14 pm	#4
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Wartime Utility Radio The original finish was just plain waxed pine, i have a totally original example (made by murphy) Cheers Mark

1st Jun 2008, 6:41 pm	#5
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Wartime Utility Radio I think there have been discussions about finish before and I am fairly sure we concluded that different manufacturers had different approaches. My Burndept has dark wood verticals (not pine) almost certainly factory finished as they had used a tint coat. The rest of it was sprayed with a very light clear coat.

1st Jun 2008, 8:56 pm	#6
helmsman Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 56	Re: Wartime Utility Radio Nice job. Very posh. I to have a Utility radio that is a little different from others I have seen, in that it has M/W and L/W (Three Knobs on the front) that looks to have been factory fitted. The type of wiring used is the same throughout the set. It is a U5 = FERGUSON.

2nd Jun 2008, 3:46 pm	#7
Avro626 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 29	Re: Wartime Utility Radio Thanks for the comments, I have learnt that in wartime, at a time of "make do with what is at hand" not everything is cut and dried when it comes to "what is original?". I am sure the discussions on this topic could go on for ever! Cheers Dave.

2nd Jun 2008, 8:19 pm	#8
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Wartime Utility Radio More distiguished than utility now I think! Wasn't this set intended for a Squadron Exhibition Dave? I tried to find a link at the time. Very incidentally, my set is cream painted pine [pine now showing through everywhere]. Dave W