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ABOUT RON
CONTACT RON
PHILCO PHORUM
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Philco
for 1940 (introduced August 1939)
THE FOLLOWING MODELS
CONTINUED IN THE PHILCO LINEUP: All except those listed below.
THE FOLLOWING MODELS WERE DISCONTINUED: A52CK, A52CK1, TH-4, TP-4,
TP-4-I, TH-5, TP-5, TP-5-I, TH-9, TP-10, TP-11, TP-12, TH-14, TH-15,
TH-16, TH-17, TH-18, TP-20, TP-21, TH-22, UA-52P (TP-52).
Two months into the new
1940 season, Philco added a portable, a chairside set and a console
model to its regular lineup. But they also completely revamped their
lower-priced Transitone models by eliminating every June 1939 model and
introducing 21 new models, which now carried the PHILCO
trademark as well as the TRANSITONE name. Many of the new Transitones
were simply older Transitones with new dial scales and the new
Philco-Transitone designations, but several new models were also added
to the line at this time.
All of the new Transitones
(except the portable PT-63) used the same basic five-tube, AC.DC
chassis; there were variations in frequency coverage through the various
models.
BATTERY (PORTABLE & FARM) SET:
| MODEL 40-82T
Essentially a 40-81T with a hinged
lid to cover the front panel when the set was not in use. Four
tubes, AM only.
Original selling price: $19.95
Number made: 5,025 |
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ELECTRIC (AC) MODELS:
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MODEL 40-170CS
This new chairside model used a
chassis similar to Model 40-135. It had six tubes and covered AM
and shortwave from 1.5 to 3.3 mc.
Original selling price: $59.95
Number made: 3,500 |
PHONOGRAPH WITH PHILCO
MODEL 40-525P
Another new Philco to use the
six-tube 40-135 chassis.
Original selling price: $100
Number made: 6,500 (NOTE: Figure includes production of January
1940 Model 40-526P) |
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TRANSITONE MODELS:
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MODEL PT-25
Successor to the January 1939 TH-4,
the only difference between the PT-25 and the TH-4 was the new
dial scale. It received the AM band (540-1720 kc), used five
tubes, and operated from 115 volts, AC or DC current.
Original selling price: $9.95
Number made: 114,160 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models
PT-27, PT-29, PT-31 & PT-37) |
|
MODEL PT-27
Identical to the PT-25 except for
the ivory painted Bakelite cabinet.
Original selling price: $10.95
Number made: 114,160 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models
PT-25, PT-29, PT-31 & PT-37) |
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MODEL PT-29
This model replaced the June 1939
TP-4 and is identical with it except for the new dial scale. In
addition to AM, the PT-29 also received the "police" band (2.3
to 2.5 mc).
Original selling price: $11.95
Number made: 114,160 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models
PT-25, PT-27, PT-31 & PT-37) |
|
MODEL PT-31
And this model was identical with
the June 1939 TP-4-I which it replaced. Like the PT-29 above, it
also received AM and 2.3 to 2.5 mc shortwave.
Original selling price: $12.95
Number made: 114,160 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models
PT-25, PT-27, PT-29 & PT-37) |
 |
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MODEL PT-33
This model replaced the June 1939
TH-16. It receives the AM band (540-1580 kc).
Original selling price: $13.50
Number made: 3,000
Photo credit: Paul Turney |
|
MODEL PT-35
A replacement for Model TP-10, the
only thing new about the PT-35 was the "PHILCO Transitone" decal
on front. As with the TP-10, there are color variations in the
PT-35 cabinets; one such variation is shown at lower right. It
received AM from 540 to 1720 kc and the "police" band from 2.3
to 2.5 mc.
Original selling price: $17.95
Number made: 8,383
Photo credit (lower right): Tom
Fiori |

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MODEL PT-37
This model replaced Model TH-18, and
was capable of receiving shortwave from 5.5 to 19 mc as well as
AM from 540 to 1720 kc.
Original selling price: $14.95
Number made:
Number made: 114,160 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models
PT-25, PT-27, PT-29 & PT-31) |
|
MODEL PT-39
This model (and the PT-41 below)
featured a completely new cabinet. The chassis is identical to
the PT-25/TH-4. It receives the AM band (540-1720 kc).
Original selling price: $15.95
Number made: 27,142 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model
PT-41) |
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MODEL PT-41
The difference between this model
and the PT-39 above is the smaller coverage of the AM band -
this model only receives 540 to 1580 kc.
Original selling price: $15.95
Number made: 27,142 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model
PT-41) |
|
MODEL PT-43
Another all-new cabinet for this
Transitone model. It was capable of receiving AM from 540 to
1580 kc and shortwave up to 2.5 mc.
It was made in five versions:
PT-43-A - ivory trim - 24,677 made (upper right)
PT-43-C - red trim - 1,036 made (middle right)
PT-43-D - blue trim - 793 made
PT-43-E - green trim - 784 made
PT-43-F - brown trim - 1,297 made (lower right)
Original selling price (all
versions): $16.95
Photo credit (lower right):
Cheryle Starkweather. Middle right photo used by permission. |


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MODEL PT-45
This set was the successor to the
January 1939 lookalike TH-5. It receives the AM band from 540 to
1720 kc and features pushbutton tuning.
Original selling price: $16.95
Number made: 3,920 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models
PT-47 & PT-51) |
|
MODEL PT-47
Similar to the PT-45 above, its
cabinet was ivory painted Bakelite.
Original selling price: $17.95
Number
made: 3,920 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models PT-45 &
PT-51) |
 |
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MODEL PT-51
This model was the replacement for
the older TP-5-I (January 1939). It received AM from 540 to 1720
kc and the "police" band from 2.3 to 2.5 mc.
Original selling price: $18.95
Number made: 3,920 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models
PT-45 & PT-47) |
|
MODEL PT-55
The new PT-55 replaced the lookalike
TP-20. It was available in several different colors besides the
standard brown Bakelite with ivory Tenite trim; one color
variation is shown at right.
Original selling price: $13.95
Number
made: Not available
Photo credit (lower right): Dave
Mitchell |

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MODEL PT-57
This new Transitone was identical to
the June 1939 Model TH-17 which it replaced except for the dial
scale. Like the TH-17, it received the AM band from 540 to 1580
kc and also had electronic pushbutton tuning and a built-in loop
antenna.
Original selling price: $18.95
Number made: Not available |
|
MODEL PT-59
The frequency coverage of this model
is 540 to 1720 kc (AM) and 2.3 to 2.5 mc. It replaced the
January 1939 TP-11. The case is brown Bakelite with swirled
ivory Tenite trim.
Original selling price: $19.95
Number
made: Not available |
 |
 |
MODEL PT-61
Also known among collectors as the
"Jewel Case," this all-new Transitone has become very desirable
in recent years because of its unique cabinet. It receives the
AM band from 540 to 1580 kc.
Original selling price: $19.95
Number made: 12,510 |
|
MODEL PT-63
A new Transitone designed for
portable use, it uses four tubes and runs on batteries. It
receives 540 to 1550 kc (AM) and has a built-in loop antenna.
Original selling price: $19.95
Number
made: 7,025 |
 |
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MODEL PT-65
Electronic pushbutton tuning and a
frequency coverage from 540 to 1580 kc are the features of this
all-new Transitone model.
Original selling price: $22.50
Number made: 10,000
Photo used by permission.
NOTE: Knobs on the set at left are incorrect; they should be a
dark brown version of the knobs used on the PT-67 below. |
|
MODEL PT-67
This model replaces the June 1939
Model TP-21. It receives the AM band (540-1580 kc) and the
"police" band (2.3-2.5 mc).
Original selling price: $22.50
Number
made: Not available
Photo used by permission. |
 |
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MODEL PT-69
This model, which replaced the June
1939 A52CK and A52CK1, included a Sessions electric clock with a
five-tube Transitone chassis. AM only.
Original selling price: $24.95
Number made: 11,010 |
© 1997-2006, Ron Ramirez. All
rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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