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 Astor Television
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 16 · Written at 2:53:41 PM on 12 September 2013.
Chris Ronayne's avatar
 Location: Wauchope, NSW
 Member since 1 January 2013
 Member #: 1269
 Postcount: 576

EDIT: Double post.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 17 · Written at 6:00:16 PM on 12 September 2013.
Chris Ronayne's avatar
 Location: Wauchope, NSW
 Member since 1 January 2013
 Member #: 1269
 Postcount: 576

Why is the Astor SJ labelled as a "table model", while it has legs? Wouldn't it be a "consolette" like the SK or ESJ? Or has the set in the image been modified? My SJ looks like it was designed as a table-top unit. There are no signs of any fittings for legs ever being present.

Also, how common are those 14" Astor SL portables? It looks like a real beauty!

Chris


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 18 · Written at 9:18:32 PM on 12 September 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

You've raised a good point. The manual calls the SJ a table model and looking through the parts list no mention is made of legs being available. I may need to find a better picture of the SJ (or cut it's legs off!)

A table model with legs is really a lowboy but it seems Astor also called them consolette. I don't like the term as used by Astor as it really applies to the case style of a console model on little short legs. The Model CSJ is a good example of this style.

The SL portables are quite attractive but are also near impossible to find. I've never seen one for sale and I'd have thought none even existed except that I was given some photos of some TV's from another collector and the SL was amongst them.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 19 · Written at 10:24:59 PM on 12 September 2013.
Sue's avatar
 Sue
 Location: Daylesford, VIC
 Member since 13 January 2011
 Member #: 809
 Postcount: 326

By the Sixties televisions were becoming the focal point of living rooms, so it's possible that older table sets had legs added to make them more saleable secondhand. In England our family's first TV was a Pye VT4, a mid-fifties table model with legs added by the reseller. This made the set very unstable and liable to tip forward if the control panel was leant on, so I'm sure it was an makeshift conversion.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 20 · Written at 9:41:46 PM on 30 September 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

1960 Models

Astor ATR - 24" Console
Release Date - 1960
The ATR-A is a later version with a modified chassis.

Astor ATS - 23" Console
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
This model was sold in NSW and QLD only.

Astor ATT - 27" Console
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
The ATT-A is a later version with a modified chassis.

Astor ATY - 23" Console
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
The ATY-A is a later version with a modified chassis.

Astor BRJ - 21" Console
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Modified version of the Astor JSK for fringe area reception.

Astor BRR - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
The BRR-A, BRR-B, BRR-C are later versions with a modified chassis.

Astor Televisions


Astor BRT - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
The BRT-A, BRT-B are later versions with a modified chassis. The BRT-S is possibly a coin operated model.

Astor BRW - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
The BRW-A is a later version with a modified chassis.

Astor BRW - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Grey

Astor CQQ - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1960
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany

Astor CWX - 23"
Release Date - 1960
The CWX-A is a later version with a modified chassis.
The CWX-S, CWX-A/S are coin operated sets.

Astor Televisions


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 21 · Written at 7:54:25 PM on 1 October 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

Thanks Brad for uploading and fixing the images so far!


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 22 · Written at 7:56:11 PM on 1 October 2013.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7307

No worries, all part of the service. Grin


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 23 · Written at 9:21:26 PM on 29 October 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

1961 Models. During this model year there was a transition to the new model numbering system.

Astor ATZ "Fringemaster" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
The ATZ-A is a later version with a modified chassis.

Astor AVT "Royal" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1961
The AVT-A is a later version with a modified chassis.

Astor AVX "Fringemaster" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany

Astor BTR "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
The BTR-A and BTR-B are later versions with a modified chassis.

Astor BVS
Release Date - 1961
Unconfirmed model number. It may be the result of a typographical error.

Astor BVT "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
The BVT-A is a later version with a modified chassis. Model BVT-A/P is a special variant under the "Pope" brand.

Astor BVX "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany

Astor BWX "Royal" - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany

Astor DWX - 21" Table model
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany

Astor Televisions


Astor B31L/1-A "Barclay" - 23" Wideboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1

Astor C31L/2-E, C31L/2-H "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options -
Chassis - Series 2
The C31L/S/2-E, C31L/S/2-H are coin operated sets.

Astor C32L/2-Q "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options -
Chassis - Series 2

Astor F31C/1-B "Fringemaster" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1
The F31C-A/1-B is a later version with a modified chassis.

Astor F31L/1-B "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1
The F31L/S/1-B is a coin operated set.

Astor R11L/2-E, R11L/2-H "Royal" - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 2

Astor R12L/3-H "Royal" - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor R31C/2-C, R31C/2-R "Royal" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 2
The R31C-A/2-C, R31C-A/2-R are later versions with a modified chassis.

Astor R31L/2-C, R31L/2-R "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 2

Astor R31LR/3-D "Royal" - 23" Lowboy with wired remote control
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor R32L/2-E, R32L/2-H "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 2

Astor R33C/2-F "Royal" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 2

Astor R34L/2-F "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1961
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 2

Astor Televisions


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 24 · Written at 9:23:14 PM on 25 November 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

1962 Models.

Astor AP31L/3-PP - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Chassis - Series 3

Astor B31LR/3-D "Barclay" - 23" Wideboy with wired remote control.
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor C11L/3-N, "Custom" - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Chassis - Series 3

Astor C31C/3-N "Custom" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor C31L/3-E, C31L/3-H "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3
The C31L/S/3-E and C31L/S/3-H are coin operated sets.

Astor C32L/3-Q, C32L/3-S "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor C33L/3-S "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor C34L/3-N "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor F33C/4-AD, F33C/4-AG "Fringemaster" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor F33L/1-G "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1

Astor Televisions


Astor M31BF/1A-K "Mayfair" - 23" Wideboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1A

Astor M31CF/1A-K, M31CF/1B-L "Mayfair" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1A and 1B

Astor M31GF/1A-K "Mayfair" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1A

Astor MR31BF/1B-L "Mayfair" - 23" Wideboy with wired remote control.
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1B

Astor MR31CF/1B-L, "Mayfair" - 23" Console with wired remote control.
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1B

Astor MR31GF/1B-L "Mayfair" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination with wired remote control.
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1B

Astor M31LF/1A-K "Mayfair" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1A

Astor Televisions


Astor R11L/3-E, R11L/3-H "Royal" - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Chassis - Series 3

Astor R31C/3-C, R31C/3-R "Royal" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3
The R31C-A/3-C, R31C-A/3-R are later versions.

Astor R31G/3-J "Royal" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3
The R31G-A/3-J is a later version.

Astor R31L/3-C, R31L/3-R "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor R32L/3-E, R32L/3-H "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor R33C/3-F, R33C/3-M "Royal" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor R34L/3-F, R34L/3-M "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Ash, Mirage
Chassis - Series 3
The R34L-A/3-F, R34L-A/3-M are later versions.

Astor R35L/3-F, R35L/3-M "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3

Astor Televisions


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 25 · Written at 12:30:17 PM on 26 November 2013.
Chris Ronayne's avatar
 Location: Wauchope, NSW
 Member since 1 January 2013
 Member #: 1269
 Postcount: 576

I've seen a couple of the sets in photos above listed on EBay and Gumtree over the past six months... I have the photos somewhere...

Chris


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 26 · Written at 8:08:41 PM on 26 November 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

I potentially have a few photos as well of some of the models that don't have pictures or have poor quality pictures. The problem is the pictures are not identified by model number so I can't be sure that the picture I have is of a specific model or one of the several variants that exist.

It's all one giant jigsaw puzzle!

If anyone can supply decent pictures of any models that I've listed so far that have a verifiable model number to match I'll be only too happy to add them to this thread.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 27 · Written at 10:12:32 PM on 18 December 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

1963 Models.

Astor B31LR/4B-BR "Barclay" - 23" Wideboy with wired remote control.
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor C34L/4-AA, "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Release Date - 1963
Chassis - Series 4

Astor C34L-A/4-CN "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor C36L/4-T "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4
The C31L/S/3-E and C31L/S/3-H are coin operated sets.

Astor C37L/1S-DC "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1S
Special 230v DC version

Astor C38L/1-AC "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 1

Astor C39L/4-Z "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor F35L/4-AD "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor F36L/4-PC "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor F36L-A/4-AF "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor F37C/4S-BL "Fringemaster" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4S
Special 32v DC version

Astor F37L/4S-BL "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4S
Special 32v DC version

Astor P31G/4A-BA "Plymouth" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4A

Astor P31L/4A-BA "Plymouth" - 23" Wideboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4A

Astor Televisions


Astor R11L/4-X "Royal" - 21" Lowboy
Release Date - 1962
Chassis - Series 3

R31C-A/4-Y "Royal" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor R31L/4-Y "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor R31LR/4B-BR "Royal" - 23" Lowboy with wired remote control.
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor R33C/4-V, R33C/4B-BF "Royal" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4 & 4B

Astor R34L/4-V "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor R35L/4-V, R35L/4B-BF "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

Astor R36C/4-PB, R36C-A/4-AE, R36C-A/4-AG, R36C-A/4B-BE, R36C-A/4B-BH "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4 & 4B

Astor R36L/3-PP, R36L/4-PA, R36L/4-PB, R36L-A/4-AE, R36L-A/4-AG, R36L-A/4B-BE, R36L-A/4B-BG, R36L-A/4B-BH, "Royal" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1963
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 3, 4 & 4B

Astor Televisions


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 28 · Written at 9:26:52 PM on 27 December 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

1964 Models.

Astor C34L/4B-BK, "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor C34L/4B-CA "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor C36L/4B-BG "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor C36L/4B-BM "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor C39L/4B-BJ "Custom" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor D31G/4A-?? "Devon" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4A

Astor D32L/4B-?? "Devon" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor F33C/4B-BD "Fringemaster" - 23" Console
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor F35L-A/4B-BD "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor F36L/4B-?? "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor F36L-A/4B-BC "Fringemaster" - 23" Lowboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor K31L/4B-BH "Clarinda" - 23" Wideboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor K32L/4B-BH "Croydon" - 23" Wideboy
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Medium Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor Televisions


R31G-A/4-W "Royal" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4

R31G-A/4B-BB "Royal" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

R31G-A/4B-BZ "Royal" - 23" TV/Radiogram combination
Release Date - 1964
Colour Options - Maple, Walnut, Mahogany
Chassis - Series 4B

Astor Televisions


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 29 · Written at 7:37:49 AM on 31 December 2013.
Doug's Gravatar
 Location: Horsham, VIC
 Member since 19 December 2013
 Member #: 1468
 Postcount: 33

Hi I just took delivery of an Astor F31C with a 1B chassis. It looks like the R36C-A but mine is clearly stenciled model no F31C on the Masonite back panel.
It's got sound but not pic yet! The mains A/C transformer will need replacing due to age & break down of the coils.

Astor Television
Astor Television Owners Manual



Doug


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 30 · Written at 9:06:47 PM on 31 December 2013.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

Thanks for the picture!

It is also very useful to have the model number verified. Luckily there are only two models of the F31C, the F31C/1-B and F31C-A/1-B. They are both much the same as far as I can tell, the -A version has some minor styling differences I believe.

Your picture also matches the factory image posted in the 1961 models for the F31C. Your chassis should be the Series 1. the "B" at the end of the model code is the version of control head fitted.

Can you let us know the serial number please. It will be interesting to compare to a couple of other Series 1 numbers I have.

Good luck in getting it going and keep us informed of your progress. Can you also keep an eye out for any TV parts. Most of the stocks of spares disappeared years ago so any that can be found are well worth the effort of saving.


 
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