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PHILCO PHORUM

Philcoradio.com < Gallery Index

Philco for 1941 (introduced June 1940)

THE FOLLOWING MODELS CONTINUED IN THE PHILCO LINEUP: PT-25, PT-26, PT-27, PT-28, RP-1 (as 41-RP1). ALL OTHER 1940 MODELS WERE DISCONTINUED.

The 1941 Philco line was somewhat more stylish than their 1940 models. Many of the new models adopted either escutcheons or combination escutcheons/grilles made with Tenite, which shrinks over time and has caused many 1941 (and 1942) models to become less than attractive as a result. Fortunately, there is a reproduction escutcheon available for some of the more popular models (see the Resources page for details).

The portable models became lighter and more efficient. Nearly all models now included an improved loop antenna inside the cabinet.

Philco's radio-phonograph models no longer carried the "Phonograph with Philco" name. In addition, the higher priced models contained a new Philco innovation; a tone arm with a light bulb, a mirror mounted on top of the sapphire stylus, and a photocell. The Beam of Light pickup was only used in 1941 and 1942 Philco models.

Philco offered ten models in its Tropic line of export sets for 1941, which were now mostly table models.

A few new Philco Transitone models were introduced for 1941, along with four models carried over from 1940. Nevertheless, Philco offered far fewer Philco Transitone models than they did in the previous season.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger photo below:
PORTABLE RADIOS

BATTERY-OPERATED FARM SETS

ELECTRIC (AC & AC/DC) MODELS

RADIO-PHONOGRAPH MODELS

TROPIC MODELS

PHILCO TRANSITONE MODELS

THE 1941 PHILCO LINE

PORTABLE RADIOS (PHILCO & PHILCO TRANSITONE MODELS)

MODEL 41-81T
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

This four tube portable received the AM band only (540-1600 kc).

Original selling price: $17.45
Number made: 8,050

MODEL 41-83T
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

Similar to the 41-81T above, this set used five tubes instead of four. It also received the AM band only, as above.

Original selling price: $19.95
Number made: 4,525

MODEL 41-84T
NOTE: Leather carrying handle is missing from set shown above.

This five-tube portable was known as a "three-way" portable, because it could operate on 115 volts AC or DC, or on batteries. It also received the AM band only.

Original selling price: $26.45
Number made: 34,351 (NOTE: Figure includes production of January 1941 Model 41-841T)

MODEL 41-85T
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

Another "three-way" portable for 1941 (115 volts AC or DC, or battery power), the new 41-85 received shortwave from 6 to 15 mc as well as the AM band.

Original selling price: $36.45
Number made: 10,411 (NOTE: Figure includes production of January 1941 Model 41-851T)

MODEL PT-87
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

This portable Transitone used five tubes and could operate on 115 volts, AC or DC power, or on batteries. It received the AM band only.

Original selling price: $17.45
Number made: 32,300

MODEL PT-89
Photo courtesy Steve Perrault

This unusual compact portable operated on batteries and featured an antenna built into the carrying strap. It received the AM band and used four tubes.

Original selling price: $15
Number made: 11,100

BATTERY-OPERATED FARM SETS (RADIOS & RADIO-PHONOGRAPHS)

MODEL 41-90CB
The successor to the previous year's 40-90CB received a new cabinet and chassis for 1941. It used four tubes and received the AM band only (540-1720 kc).

Original selling price: $18.50
Number made: 32,618 (NOTE: Figure includes production of June 1941 Model 42-121CB)

MODEL 41-95T
A new wooden cabinet which housed a five-tube chassis which also received the AM band from 540 to 1720 kc.

Original selling price: $24.95
Number made: 57,980

MODEL 41-95F
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

The chassis of this new 1941 farm console is the same as Model 41-95T above.

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 8,526

MODEL 41-100T
This five tube, table model, farm set added electronic pushbutton tuning to a chassis which is otherwise very similar to the 41-95T above.

Original selling price: $29.95
Number made: 8,011

MODEL 41-100F
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

This set was the console equivalent to Model 41-100T above.

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 2,525

MODEL 41-105T
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

Yet another five tube farm set, the 41-105 added shortwave coverage (6 to 12 mc) to its AM band coverage.

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 4,761

MODEL 41-110K
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

This Philco model used six tubes and received shortwave from 6 to 12 mc in addition to the AM band. The 41-110K also featured electronic pushbutton tuning.

Philco's most expensive farm set for 1941, it sold poorly.

Original selling price: $77.95
Number made: 520

MODEL 41-695P
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

A floor model radio-phonograph for the rural market, the 41-695 featured a battery operated radio which received the AM band only. The single play phonograph had a crystal pickup and used a windup motor.

Original selling price: $59.95
Number made: 1,533

MODEL 41-RP15
A battery operated version of the 41-RP2, for rural areas. The phonograph uses a windup motor. It operates on one tube.

Original selling price: $19.95
Number made: 15,111 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 41-RP2)

ELECTRIC (AC & AC/DC) MODELS

MODEL 41-220C
This model had a walnut finish with dark trim. It and the new 41-220CI received AM from 540 to 1600 kc and the "police" band from 1.6 to 3.3 mc. The chassis of each used six tubes and operated on 115 volts, AC or DC.

Original selling price: $20
Number made: 37,526

MODEL 41-220CI
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

Similar to the 41-220C, the 41-220CI had an ivory finish with dark trim.

Original selling price: $21.50
Number made: 9,051

MODEL 41-221C
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

Another new Philco model that was available in different trim colors. Both the 41-221C and 41-221CI had walnut finishes overall; the 41-221C had dark trim, and the 41-221CI had ivory trim.

The two sets shared the same six tube chassis that could receive AM from 540 to 1720 kc and shortwave from 9 to 12 mc. Both operated on 115 volts, AC or DC.

Like many 1941 Philco models, the combination escutcheon/speaker grille was made of Tenite, which shrinks and warps over time.

Original selling price: $23.50
Number made: 37,116

MODEL 41-221CI
The 41-221CI, while identical electrically to the 41-221C, had a walnut cabinet with ivory trim.

Original selling price: $25
Number made: 19,300

MODEL 41-225C
Photo courtesy Bob Atchison

The 41-225 used a similar chassis to the 41-220 models above, with the addition of electronic pushbutton tuning. It also received AM and the "police" band (1.6-3.3 mc), and operated on 115 volts, AC or DC power.

Original selling price: $26
Number made: 12,525

MODEL 41-226C
Also known as "The Sled" due to its unusual yet attractive cabinet design, it is electrically similar to the 41-221 models above, but adds electronic pushbutton tuning. Shortwave coverage from 9 to 12 mc as well as AM reception are its other features. It also was designed for 115 volt AC or DC power.

Original selling price: $27.50
Number made: 23,443

MODEL 41-230T
Photo courtesy Chris Hollingsworth

The successor to the 1940 Model 40-130, the new 1941 model was housed in a Bakelite cabinet that was basically identical to the 41-90CB farm set above, with the addition of two more controls for tone and band selection.

It operated on 115 volts AC only and received AM and the "police" band (1.5 to 3.5 mc) with its seven tubes.

Original selling price: $29.95
Number made: 17,489

MODEL 41-235T
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

A seven tube, AC-only table model, this Philco received AM and the "police" band (1.5 to 3.5 mc). Basically a 41-230 in a wooden cabinet.

Original selling price: $32.50
Number made: 18,595

MODEL 41-240T
Photo courtesy Clifford R. Huff

This two band, seven tube model received shortwave (9 to 12 mc) in addition to AM broadcasts.

Original selling price: $35
Number made: 20,141

MODEL 41-245T
Another seven tube model, the 245T featured electronic pushbutton tuning and three band reception (540-1550 kc, 2-7 mc & 9-12 mc).

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 22,566

MODEL 41-250T
An attractive new "slant front" table model that has been called the "Log Cabin" by some collectors because of the unusual wood pattern on the front of the set. It receives AM and shortwave from 2.2 to 7 mc and 9 to 12 mc and includes electronic pushbutton tuning. It uses 8 tubes and operates on 115 volts AC only.

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 25,151

MODEL 41-255T
Photo courtesy Terry Judkins

Another new "slant front" table models for the 1941 season, the 41-255 is very similar to the 41-250 above, except that it uses nine tubes instead of eight.

Original selling price: $59.95
Number made: 22,742 (NOTE: Figure includes production of January 1941 Model 41-256T)

MODEL 41-258F
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

Similar in design to the table model 41-221 sets, the 258F received AM from 540 to 1720 kc and shortwave from 8.8 to 12 mc. It operated on 115 volts AC or DC.

This "entry-level" console did not sell well.

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 8,511

MODEL 41-260F
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

A console radio based on the 41-240 chassis, the 260F added electronic pushbutton tuning and a larger speaker housed in a floor model cabinet. It operated on 115 volts AC only and received the AM band and shortwave from 9 to 12 mc.

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 19,201

MODEL 41-265K
Essentially a 41-245 in a floor model cabinet. This model also received standard AM and two shortwave bands (2 to 7 and 9 to 12 mc). It used seven tubes, and operated on 115 volts AC. It also featured six electronic pushbuttons.

Original selling price: $59.95
Number made: 17,245

MODEL 41-280X
Photo courtesy Kim Bowers

A slight refinement to the previous year's 40-180 cabinet, which housed a new eight tube chassis which is nearly identical to the 41-250T pictured above. It was one of Philco's top sellers for 1941, and examples are easy to find today.

Original selling price: $69.95
Number made: 81,561

MODEL 41-285X
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

This was the console version of Model 41-255T. It used nine tubes and covered the same bands as the 255T.

Original selling price: $79.95
Number made: 30,422

MODEL 41-287X
The 41-287 used the same chassis as the 41-285, but was housed in an even more ornate cabinet. Operating on 115 volts AC only, it received the AM band and shortwave from 2.3 to 7 mc & 9 to 12 mc. This model was available in either Walnut or Mahogany.

Original selling price: $85
Number made: 8,010 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Walnut and Mahogany versions)

MODEL 41-290X
Photo courtesy Steve Kanter

The new 290X, which looks much like a streamlined "skyscraper" of the time, contained a ten tube chassis which was similar to that used in the 41-285 & 41-287 above.

Original selling price: $89.95
Number made: 47,621

MODEL 41-295X
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

This model used eleven tubes and received AM as well as shortwave from 2.3 to 7 mc, 9 to 12 mc and 13.5 to 18 mc. It includes eight pushbuttons; seven for preset AM stations and one for off-on control. It operated on 115 volts, AC only.

Original selling price: $100
Number made: 19,025 (NOTE: Figure includes production of January 1941 Model 41-296X)

MODEL 41-300X
An even fancier and more expensive set than the 41-295 above, it was nevertheless very similar to the 295X; the difference being an additional tube in the 2nd detector circuit, making this one a 12 tube radio.

Original selling price: $135
Number made: 10,015

MODEL 41-316RX
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

One of only two wireless remote control models for the new 1941 season (the other was Model 41-616P, see below), the all-new 316 now allowed the set owner to use mechanical pushbuttons mounted below the dial to select preset AM stations, or select them using the wireless remote.

This model used fourteen tubes, plus an additional tube in the remote unit. It operated on 115 volts, AC only, and had the same frequency coverage as Models 41-295 and 41-300 above.

MODEL 41-KR
A new radio-clock combination, with a curved bottom that was designed to sit on top of the Philco refrigerators of the day. The radio used a five-tube chassis much like the Philco Transitone PT-26, and tuned 540 to 1600 kc. Because of the electric clock, however, it could only operate on AC current, 115 volts.

Original selling price: Sold only with Philco Refrigerators, not sold separately
Number made: 15,720

RADIO-PHONOGRAPH MODELS

MODEL 41-602P
Model 41-602P, lid closed

Model 41-602P, lid open

A Philco Transitone PT-26 chassis (AM only, 540-1580 kc) and a single play 78 rpm phonograph made up Philco's entry level 1941 radio-phono combination.

Original selling price: $29.95
Number made: 12,052

MODEL 41-603P
Model 41-603P, lid closed

Model 41-603P, lid open

This classy table model features reception of the standard AM band and shortwave from 9 to 12 mc. It uses six tubes and operates on 115 volts, AC only due to the phonograph motor which cannot run on DC current.

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 8,761

MODEL 41-604P
Philco's lowest priced console radio-phonograph used the same radio chassis as Model 41-603P above, coupled with a single play 78 rpm phonograph.

Original selling price: $59.95
Number made: 14,282

MODEL 41-605P
Photo courtesy Leslie Del Ponte

This model also used the 41-603 radio chassis with an automatic record changer using a crystal pickup.

Original selling price: $89.95
Number made: 22,940 (NOTE: Figure includes production of January 1941 Model 41-625P)

MODEL 41-607P
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

Yet another Philco radio-phonograph to use the 41-603 chassis, along with the same automatic record changer as used in Model 41-605.

Original selling price: $109.50
Number made: 4,013

MODEL 41-608P
Photo courtesy Joseph Balitza, Jr.

Production figures for this set are not available, but the 41-608 was clearly Philco's top selling radio-phonograph of the 1941 season as many examples survive and are not difficult to find.

The set features Philco's new Beam of Light phonograph pickup, used with an automatic record changer. The radio uses nine tubes and receives the standard AM band and shortwave from 9 to 12 mc.

Some models may be found with the optional record cutter unit; an extra tone arm with a crystal cartridge, used to make 78 rpm recordings with the blank discs that were available at the time for the purpose.

Original selling price: $129.95
Number made: Not available

MODEL 41-609P
Photo credit: Lee Holmes

A much fancier cabinet houses the same electronics and Beam of Light changer as the 41-608P above.

Original selling price: $150
Number made: 6,607

MODEL 41-610P
A ten tube Philco which received AM and shortwave from 2 to 7 mc and 9 to 12 mc. The large cabinet also housed a Beam of Light automatic record changer.

Original selling price: $179.95
Number made: 6,358

MODEL 41-611P
The electronic equivalent of the 41-610P above, this model utilized a much more ornate cabinet.

Original selling price: $225
Number made: 4,272

MODEL 41-616P
Photo courtesy Bob Snively

Philco's best radio-phonograph for 1941 utilized a modified 41-316 chassis, adding one tube for the Beam of Light phonograph preamplifier. Like the 41-316, this model featured wireless remote control; with this model, the user could control the phonograph as well as select from preset AM stations with the wireless remote.

Original selling price: $395
Number made: Not available

MODEL 41-RP2
Illustration courtesy Chuck Schwark

The RP-2 two-tube wireless phonograph received a new cabinet for the 1941 season, but was otherwise unchanged from earlier versions.

Original selling price: $19.95
Number made: 15,111 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 41-RP15)

MODEL 41-RP5
Made for the export market, the large cabinet could support a table model radio. The pull-out front drawer contained the single play phonograph.

Original selling price & number made: Not available

TROPIC MODELS

MODEL 41-705T
A reissue of the previous year's 40-710T, this model also received three bands: 540-1600 kc, 2.3-7.2 mc & 7.0-24 mc. It used five tubes and operated on 115 volts, AC or DC current.

Original selling price & number made: Not available

MODELS 41-708T, 41-712T & 41-713T
Model 41-712T shown above. Models 41-708T & 41-713T are identical in appearance.
Photo courtesy Greg Armstrong

These three band Tropic models differ in the power supplies used in each. The 41-708 operates from a single 6-volt storage battery. The 41-712 runs on 115 or 230 volts AC only. And the 41-713 will operate on 115 or 230 volts, AC or DC.

All three models receive the following bands: 540-1600 kc, 2.3-7.2 mc & 7-24 mc. The three use the Bakelite cabinet as shown above, which is identical in appearance to domestic models 41-90CB & 41-230T.

Original selling price: Not available
Number made: Not available (41-708T), 11,350 (41-712T & 41-713T combined)

MODEL 41-714T
A six tube Tropic model designed to run on either 115 or 230 volts, AC current only. The 41-714 received AM and shortwave from 2.3-7.2 & 7-24 mc.

Original selling price: $75
Number made: 4,051

MODEL 41-722T
Photo courtesy Eddie Haines

This Tropic model used six tubes and received 540 to 1720 kc, 2.3 to 7.1 mc & 7 to 22 mc. It was designed to operate on either 115 or 230 volt, AC only.

Original selling price: $100
Number made: 2,902

MODEL 41-745
A three band (540-1720 kc, 2.3-7.1 & 7-22 mc) receiver, this model operated on a 6-volt storage battery and used seven tubes. The type of cabinet used is not known at this time.

Original selling price & number made: Not available

MODEL 41-758T
The 41-758 had the same frequency coverage as the 41-745, but used eight tubes and operated on 115 or 230 volts, AC only.

Original selling price: $125
Number made: 6,276

MODEL 41-759
This Tropic model also had three tuning bands (same frequency coverage as Model 41-745 above), and operated on 115 or 230 volts, AC or DC. It uses eight tubes. The type of cabinet used is not known at this time.

Original selling price & number made: Not available

MODEL 41-788T
A very large table model, this was Philco's first Tropic to include individual tuning ranges for five major shortwave bands in addition to three conventional tuning bands. In all, the 41-788 could tune from 540 kc to 22 mc. Using eleven tubes, this model operated on 115 or 230 volts, AC only.

Original selling price: $150
Number made: Not available

PHILCO TRANSITONE MODELS

MODEL PT-30
The cabinet of this model is yet another incarnation of the set first introduced as Model 38-12CB in January 1938. This model, however, utilized a chassis designed to operate on 115 volts, AC or DC. Using five tubes, it receives the AM band only. It has a larger speaker than its lookalike models, and is an excellent performer when properly restored.

Original selling price: $13.95
Number made: 46,116

MODEL PT-42
This new Transitone contains a 5-tube AC/DC chassis which receives 540 to 1600 kc AM only.

Original selling price: $15.95
Number made: 12,383

MODEL PT-44
Photo courtesy Ken Hoffman

Inside this attractive walnut cabinet is a chassis which is identical to Model PT-42 above.

Original selling price: $18.75
Number made: 11,303

MODEL PT-49
A PT-30 chassis in a decorative wooden cabinet.

Original selling price: $19.95
Number made: 5,700

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