PLASTIC RADIOS
The first radios I ever bought, though I claim them to be the wooden sets from Jordan Hollow, were actually a pair of plastic radios from a junk sale when I was 13.  I've just never been as fond of them and only partially consider them to be part of the collection.  I've seen some of the high-end catalin sets as well as some nice deco work, but for the most part, plastic radios just lack the warmth of the wooden sets.  Just my opinion.
 
 
Make: General Electric 
Model:  
Year: 1960's 
Tubes:  
Power: 60-cycle 
Schematic: Unavailable 
Acquired: Grimsby, 1983 
Made in:		  
This is an FM-only set produced by GE (CGE?) in the mid-1960's.  It was part of my first-ever radio purchase.  The case has cleaned up quite well, but there is a small chip at the bottom left that had been held in place basically by years of slime, and it let go during washing.  I have no idea what the model number is.&nbsp. Once it is opened up and repaired, maybe this will become apparent. 

 
Make: Northern Electric 
Model: 5000 "Rainbow" 
Year: 1947 
Tubes: 12SA7, 12SK7, 12SQ7, 35L6GT, 35Z5GT 
Power: 60-cycle 
Schematic: Unavailable 
Acquired: Aberfoyle, 1992 
Made in:		  
If ever there was a truly ubiquitous Canadian radio, it is this one.  Every swap meet, every flea market, every antique shop has at least one of these.  Northern Electric is now Nortel, a huge telecommunications company with a big office in Ottawa.  This set came in a variety of colours (though I prefer the unpainted bakelite) and also in a shortwave version with a centre knob. 

 
Make: Philips 
Model: 160 (560?) 
Year: 1956 
Tubes: 12BA6, 12BE6, 50B5, 12AV6, 35W4 
Power: 60-cycle 
Schematic: Unavailable 
Acquired: Grimsby, 1983 
Made in:		  
 This is actually the first radio I ever bought.  I picked it up at a yard sale together with an RCA and a '60's FM set.  I think I spent $8 for all three.  I still remember the woman asking me, "WHAT are you going to do with those awful old radios?"  Little did she know.....   I've always referred to this radio as "the Borco radio" because it is the exact same colour as the Borco covering on my drafting board.  This has had a long and respected service as a hockey-game radio. 

 
Make: Stromberg Carlson 
Model: 561 
Year: 1946-7 
Tubes: 12SA7, 12SK7 (2), 12SQ7, 35L6GT, 35Z5GT 
Power: 60-cycle 
Schematic: Unavailable 
Acquired: Ottawa Antique Mkt, 
                      1992 
Made in:		  
 
I actually do really like the styling of this radio.  The finish on it is a little dull, though.  Someone once told me that it was possible to shine up a bakelite radio with car polish.  I wasn't too thrilled with the results.  The knobs on this aren't original, but don't look too out of place. 

 

Plastic sets still to come:

RCA 8-X-542 - 1949

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