Historical Features

Forum home - Go back to Historical Features

Astor Television
« Back · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · Next »
Return to top of page · Post #: 46 · Written at 8:54:34 PM on 15 February 2014.
	Sue Location: Daylesford, VIC Member since 13 January 2011 Member #: 809 Postcount: 326
Didn't Astor take Precedent over around 1967? That 1968 Precendent 3 in 1 at Daylesford tip a couple of years ago had Astor and Anodeon parts in it, even though the basic design of the chassis was a Precedent type.

Return to top of page · Post #: 47 · Written at 10:00:15 PM on 17 February 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
Astor did take over Precedent in the late 1960's, I'm not sure exactly when.

Return to top of page · Post #: 48 · Written at 8:56:14 PM on 25 February 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
1966 Models. Astor A51L/8-CW, "???" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor B52L/5A-DA, "Barclay" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 5A Astor C52L/8-??, "Custom" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor F36L/6-CV "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 6 Fringe reception area model Astor R35L-A/8-CR "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R51C-A/5A-CG "Royal" - 25" Console Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 5A Astor R51CF/6-CL "Royal" - 25" Console Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 6 Fringe reception area model Astor R51G/5A-CH "Royal" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 5A Astor R51L/5A-CG "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 5A Astor R51LF/6-?? "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 6 Fringe reception area model Astor R52G/5A-?? "Royal" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 5A Astor R52L/5A-?? "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 5A Astor R52LF/6-?? "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 6 Fringe reception area model Astor R53C/8-?? "Royal" - 25" Console Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R53L/8-CX "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R53WL/8-CX "Royal" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R54L/8-?? "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R55L/8-CX "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R91L/8-CS "Royal" - 19" Table / Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 Astor R92L/8-CS "Royal" - 19" Table / Lowboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 Astor T51C/8-? "Tamba?" - 25" Console Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor T51L/8-? "Tamba" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1966 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8

Return to top of page · Post #: 49 · Written at 9:47:22 PM on 24 March 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
1967 Models. Astor A52L/8-CW "Airliner" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor B51L/8-DG "Barclay" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor C53L/8-?? "Custom" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor L51C/9-DF "Langdon" - 25" Console Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 9 Astor L51G/9A-DH "Langdon" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 9A Astor L51L/9-DF "Langdon" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 9 Astor L51WL/9-DF "Langdon" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 9 Astor R13L/8-DK "Royal" - 21" Table Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 Astor R34L-C/8-CR "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R36L-C/8-DE "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R38L/8-CR "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R39C/8-?? "Royal" - 23" Console Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R39L/8-DE "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R52G/8-DB "Royal" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor R53G/8A-CZ "Royal" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1967 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8A

Return to top of page · Post #: 50 · Written at 9:45:58 PM on 22 April 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
1968 Models. This model year sees the introduction of the final model numbering system. Several older models were renumbered using the new model numbering system but were otherwise identical. Astor R38LF/9-?? "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 9 Astor T12P/10 - 12" Portable Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 10 Models T12P/10A and T12P/10B are later versions. Astor TB021 - 17" Transportable Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 10A Astor TB022 - 21" Transportable Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Black, Alabaster, Espresso, Hazel, Montage Ebony Chassis - Series 11 Astor TB023 "Granada" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Oiled Teak Chassis - Series 8A or 11A Astor TB024 "Granada" - 23" Wideboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Oiled Teak Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB025 "Granada" - 23" Console Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Oiled Teak Chassis - Series 8 Astor TB026 - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8A or 11A Astor TB027 "Bedford" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB028 "Derwent" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Teak Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB029 "Trident" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - White Chassis - Series 9C Astor TB030 - 12" Portable Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 10B Astor TB031 "Royal" - 19" Table Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 Astor TB032 "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB033 "Royal" - 23" Lowboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 Astor TB034 "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB035 "Royal" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB036 "Royal" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany, Oiled Teak Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB037 "Royal" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Oiled Teak Chassis - Series 8A or 11A Astor TB038 "Langdon" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 9B Astor TB039 "Langdon" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 9B Astor TB040 "Langdon" - 25" Console Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 9B Astor TB041 "Langdon" - 25" TV/Radiogram combination Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 9C Astor TB042 "Royal" - 21" Table Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 Astor TB043 "Royal" - 19" Table Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 Astor TB044 "Royal" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 Astor TB045 "Airliner" - 25" Lowboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8 or 11 Astor TB046 "Barclay" - 25" Wideboy Release Date - 1968 Colour Options - ? Chassis - Series 8

Return to top of page · Post #: 51 · Written at 9:54:05 PM on 22 April 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
1969 Models. No new models appear to have been released in 1969. The existing 1968 model range continued to be sold in 1969.

Return to top of page · Post #: 52 · Written at 11:20:04 AM on 23 April 2014.
	Chris Ronayne Location: Wauchope, NSW Member since 1 January 2013 Member #: 1269 Postcount: 576
Wow, there is some awesome stuff in there! That TB029 is quite something! I have never seen anything like it before. Did Astor release any more models in the 1970s, or was 1968 the end of the line? Chris

Return to top of page · Post #: 53 · Written at 4:01:10 PM on 23 April 2014.
	Brad Administrator Location: Naremburn, NSW Member since 15 November 2005 Member #: 1 Postcount: 7564
I'm not a fan of the channel selector being at the back of the TB029. Then again, that model would most likely be for the fashion-conscious type. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Return to top of page · Post #: 54 · Written at 9:47:17 PM on 23 April 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
The TB029 - Trident is a very unusual model by any standard. It was very short lived and aimed at the trendy set. I'm not sure how successful it was but I'm guessing not many were sold. The speaker grille colours in the one pictured are original. The tuner location is not the best, a case of styling taking priority over practicality. However it is probably not that bad to use in practice. The Astor engineered TV's lasted until 1972. A few Philips engineered models were released in 1974 just prior to the brand being killed off. I've been very fortunate to have found images for many of the remaining models so lots more pictures to come!

Return to top of page · Post #: 55 · Written at 10:20:32 PM on 23 April 2014.
	Brad Administrator Location: Naremburn, NSW Member since 15 November 2005 Member #: 1 Postcount: 7564
I've been very fortunate to have found images for many of the remaining models so lots more pictures to come. We share the same good fortune due to the work you've done with gathering all the information. I wasn't aware there were so many models and variations produced by just one manufacturer, let alone across the board. Whilst it would be safe to assume that many sets would share innards it would still take time and money to design and produce new cabinets and screen bezels. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Return to top of page · Post #: 56 · Written at 10:07:22 PM on 24 April 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
Thanks Brad, I'm glad the information is being appreciated. It is a lot more work than I initially thought to compile this information. It is surprising at the sheer number of different TV models produced by the various manufacturers. So far I've only covered Astor, but AWA, Kriesler, HMV, Pye and Philips were equally prolific. TV models dated rapidly due to the speed of development that occurred, so new models appeared regularly. Being such an important household appliance, appearance was a major factor as well, so styling was constantly evolving to suit changing tastes. The high tooling costs for this regular model turnover would have been partially offset by the larger profit margins on TV's compared to radios. However I think these costs still took their toll as the first round of manufacturing rationalisation occurred in the early 1960's when most of the smaller manufacturers gave up on local manufacturing.

Return to top of page · Post #: 57 · Written at 10:31:32 PM on 24 April 2014.
	Brad Administrator Location: Naremburn, NSW Member since 15 November 2005 Member #: 1 Postcount: 7564
I guess some of the smaller companies were also looking ahead at the state of politics, believing that Labor and protectionism didn't relate and that Australia had Conservative governments at the Federal level for something like 22 years in a row and thus the import tariff wall was at risk - there's no way any of the smaller companies would have survived even a year in the face of costly investment and overseas competition particularly on the eve of the introduction of colour transmissions. Things that people assumed made television receivers more expensive to make; such as the adoption of PAL over SECAM or NTSC, Australia's use of 240 volt mains and Australia's unique channel numbering and frequencies; didn't in fact make the slightest difference to the cost of a set because Japanese companies were prepared to operate at a loss until the main markets around the world were flooded with their products. Funny thing is, if we buy a telly or even a laptop today, no matter what brand it is, it'll likely be fixed by AWA if it breaks during the warranty period. AWA has contracts with most of the major brands for warranty servicing. It's one example of how some of the survivors have diversified to stay alive. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Return to top of page · Post #: 58 · Written at 3:23:53 PM on 27 April 2014.
	Chris Ronayne Location: Wauchope, NSW Member since 1 January 2013 Member #: 1269 Postcount: 576
Has anyone ever seen one of the 1960 Astor ATS consoles? It looks like a very unusual set. Chris

Return to top of page · Post #: 59 · Written at 9:21:25 PM on 28 April 2014.
	TV Collector Location: Ballarat, VIC Member since 4 January 2011 Member #: 803 Postcount: 456
The NSW and QLD only model? Aside from being a special northern states model it is a fairly conventional console. I'm not sure if any have survived. The Astor ATT to me is much more interesting with the very unusual 27 inch CRT.

Return to top of page · Post #: 60 · Written at 12:15:14 AM on 29 April 2014.
	Brad Administrator Location: Naremburn, NSW Member since 15 November 2005 Member #: 1 Postcount: 7564
27 inch? A big screen in those days. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

« Back · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · Next »
You need to be a member to post comments on this forum.

Historical Features

Sign In