Hi all, I’ve just bought a beautiful old console radio I’m guessing from the early 1930’s. It was restored about 30 years ago and I last technician to work on it has removed the model number badge. Now I’m stuck because I have this lovely radio but have no idea who made it. There is what looks to be a newly made badge on it with the name ‘Airvoyce’ (not to be confused with Airvoice) which of never heard of.

The valve layout is 1 x Philips 80 / 1 x Philips 2A5 / 1 x RCA 57 / 1 x Philips 35.
Any information at all You may have would be very gratefully received.

When I can work out how to attach a photo I will do so.
Stay safe friends.
Aaron

Email pictures to:

[E-mail address deleted]

quoting the forum and post heading

Everyone - please do not post my e-mail address on the forums. I get enough bad stuff coming in as it is.

As the destructions say, namely in point 6, click my username and grab the e-mail address from there.

last technician to work on it has removed the model number badge.

Such a helpful guy. For photos see instruction: "6. If you want photos published with your post then please click here for instructions."

That's an unusual line-up. I wonder if those valves are the originals or if the set has been "tube stuffed" by a seller to make it look complete.

There's an ad for "Airvoyce" on Radiomuseum: https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/birks_airvoice_chum.html

And here's a YouTube video for an Airvoyce radiogram: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK9kBTG8oUM

Sorry Brad. Yes of course.

Just trying to be helpful (and not thinking first as usual)

All is forgiven. I am just glad I got to it in time.

Thanks all for the info thus far I've just emailed Brad some images.

It is a bit of an unusual lineup so any info that you could send my way I would be most grateful.
Thanks all
Aaron

I will try and have the photos up this arvo when I get home from work.

2A5 (output) came out in 1933 ; 57 (6J7 Sharp cut off pentode: Autodyne converter) 1932; 35 (remote cut of RF Tetrode)1931.

Photos uploaded.

That set is in very clean condition for its age.

There's an ad in the 6 Sep 1932 issue of the News (Adelaide) featuring an Airvoyce console that could be yours but, unfortunately, the scan is poor quality and the details of the cabinet cannot be made out, however the legs and dial look to be similar. The ad says that model came in 3, 4, 5 and 7 valve versions, but no model designation is given.

Here's the Trove link: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129063666?searchTerm=airvoyce&searchLimits=

Oh wow GTC!! I think this may be it! or slightly earlier model taking note that this news paper article is from 1932 and the radio uses the 2A5 output valve which Marcc mentions (thanks Marcc!) didn't come out until a year later. I guess with those clues it would probably be safe to say it's mid 1930's? The cabinet has polished up very well for it's age but the black borders noticeable around the top cabinet edging and bottom panel just below the speaker grill have been re-painted over with black paint. I suspect this may have been done by the tech working on it in the 1980's.

Either way, i'm very thrilled to be able to get some info and I've printed out the ad. I guess this is the 4-Valve model mentioned in the add for 15 pounds. Out of interest, according to the pre-decimal inflation calculator this would be equivalent for approx $1,558.00 in today's money.

Thanks so much guys for all your help

Yes this is what has been called a "poverty era" radio. A very basic TRF, not a superhet. It pre-dates the ARTS&P labels too. Early 1933. The 2A5 became the 42 became the 6F6G.

I had a similar one that looked as though it had been made from recycled fence palings! OK on the outside, veneer was still OK. Labour was cheap, timber was not.

Someone has done a VERY nice job on that radio. I would have re-stuffed the old wet electros though.

It probably never had a model number badge, or the model was written in pencil on a paper tag. Radios were made by hundreds of small businesses in those days.

Arthur Courtneys list Shows Charles Birks & Co Ltd (Distributor) 1936

Further research (next book) They were in 44 Rundle St. Adelaide and are listed as Tasma distributors & Messrs, Thom & Smith did some strange things, from my experience with their output. Tasma started 1932 but they could not have used valves not released.

We are heading into WWII and the last reference I see to 6A7 is 1938 (402 and that's not it and they changed to Philips EK2. Tasma used a lot of Philips valves & the War had a lot to do with that; I assume?

Badge engineering is not out of the question. There was a bit of reversion to 6 pin at the time. possibly to stop WD from scarpering of with them.

It might be a good idea to reverse engineer it. I normally start with a layout diagram by putting in the mains transformer, sockets, gang, where they are on the chassis & then play: Join the dots. Then convert it to a circuit diagram.that often picks up wrong valves & wiring.

it would probably be safe to say it's mid 1930's?

One clue for dating radios of that era is that propeller type dials became the fashion circa 1935, replacing the earlier "peephole" (aka squint hole) or "protractor" type such as the one on yours.