[Paul Philco322]

With a little more time than usual on my hands I have decided to rediscover some items in my collection. It can be a good method of figuring should you keep a set or let it go. This little Wards Airline was given to me by a co worker who found it at the "Big Chicken Barn" in Maine a second hand store for Chickens I guess. He was a good friend so despite the fact it might not be something I would pick out I gave it a chance. He indicated to me it had been restored and played...well barely played and it was not really well done underneath, in fact it looked scary, so much so I asked one of the best guys in our New England Radio Club to see what he might be able to do with it, his name was Ray Bintliff. May be familiar with Ray he wrote a couple of repair books and the Philco Condensers and More book. Much to my chagrin he asked if he could use the radio as a "how not to repair" a radio in one of his books. He did a great job. Ray has passed away and this is a sweet reminder of my friend. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/92577012@N...326453494/

Simple set, finish is original, some spots you can see no finish, sold for 9.95 in 1937. The type of radio if you can't afford a console you could pick up and still listen to Jack Benny. I think I will keep it as it is pretty small too. Ray did a nice job and it sounds very good. 


Well, I guess we will never know the answer to that question. However, other than being just a curiosity or a conversation piece, this set is a nice looking wooden radio from the 1930s, and it looks pretty good up there on the shelf

[Vlad95]

And for me, this is a really nice radio. If I came across one, I would take it without any hesitation.

[RodB]

Paul, I have one of those, yet to be restored. Previous owner had replaced the grille cloth with red/gray plaid shirt cloth. Other than that, it's complete. I'm looking forward to getting into it.

[radiorich]

Hello Paul,
Yes , I too have that same model in my collection I restored the chassis and Gary Maker restored the cabinet for me .
Here is the photo of it sitting in my living room I was just listening to it saturday .

Sincerely Richard
P.S. I stuffed all of the capacitors too.

[radiorich]

hello Paul,
That is a great story and I too have one his books !
Here is a before photo of my radio .
Sincerely Richard

[Paul Philco322]

Gary did fine work, they seem to turn up all the time, they must have made a lot of them. Belmont made them, used the Philco rosette knobs. paul

[radiorich]

Hello Paul,
Yes, I too think they sound a lot og them .
Gary did nice job on the cabinet refinishing .

Sincerely Richard