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 1929 RE-45 radiogram- HMV not Victor
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 2:15:57 AM on 12 December 2013.
New2radio's Gravatar
 Location: Brisbane, QLD
 Member since 5 January 2009
 Member #: 410
 Postcount: 61

I recently bought an empty HMV radiogram cabinet off Ebay, but it turns out that it's actually an American "Victor" RE-45 with an HMV, Hayes Middlesex transfer/decal under the lid.
The tuner & amp were the first and last to be designed by the Victor Talking Machine Co before RCA took them over during 1929, and obviously Victor made some 240V sets for their UK sister, The Gramophone Company to sell under the UK HMV brand name.

Luckily, Victor produced around 108,000 of this model, so (120V) parts are quite common in USA, and I plan on getting everything I need being sent over from America to restore the set, and using a step-down transformer to run it at 120V.
The American RE-45 had a "Victor" transfer under the lid, and in large letters across the top of the tuner dial it says "Victor Radio".

My problem is that I have no idea what the UK versions dial looked like, as it would have been altered to remove the "Victor" radio reference, possibly being made to read something as simple as HMV Radio instead.

So I'm wondering if anyone here has an RE-45 in their collection, but with an HNV transfer instead of the normal Victor transfer?
If so, I'm hoping I can obtain a photo, or even a drawing, of the HMV dial so I can have one screen printed to replace the Victor dial when I get it.

Of course, if someone has suitable 240V HMV components for this model in their spare parts collection, I'd be extremely interested in hearing from you too.

A quick google search for "Victor RE-45" will bring up loads of photos & information if you're unsure what an RE-45 is..


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 4:48:34 PM on 15 February 2024.
Sirwin's avatar
 Location: Beechmont, QLD
 Member since 10 April 2009
 Member #: 465
 Postcount: 109

Well over 10 years later I can answer your question, as I have just picked up an HMV RE-45 complete.

There's no brand on the dial at all, but there is a tiny "Little Nipper" on the dial transparency. In this respect, it seems no different to the USA ones, as far as I can tell. The only difference is the HMV label under the lid, and presumably, a 240 volt transformer and 240 volt, 50 Hz turntable. Mine was sold by Palings in Brisbane, originally.

There's also a large "Little Nipper" emblem embossed on the top cover of the RF chassis.

Did you ever get yours done?

Cheers, Stuart


 
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