[exray]

Hi JC and welcome. A few notes...

1. The 39-4208 I believe is simply the part number for the label.

2. Since you were getting some reception even with no antenna I'd also guess the tubes to be in reasonably good shape.

3. Definitely replace the electrolytics. You really should stick with 10uf to replace the 8uf. 22 won't kill it and you could use them temporarily but it may add a bit more load on the rectifier tube. In fact, count on replacing all the paper caps including the ones enclosed in the Bakelite boxes. There's a number of easy methods there that we can talk about later.

4. The speaker plug. That merits pronto attention. The main power supply routes thru the plug and a short there is not a good thing to have. (the intermittent could actually be something shorting out and may even account for your smoke). Mark the wires in some fashion, cut and start from fresh.

Here's a site with some good generic advice for first-timers.

http://www.antiqueradio.org/begin.htm

Have fun...and be careful!

-Bill