[Ron Ramirez]

Here's my next case:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00001.jpg]

That was a quick and dirty photo. Here's a better picture:

[Image: http://philcoradio.com/images/phorum/tro...720T-1.jpg]

The Philco Tropic 42-720 was introduced at mid-season 1942 (January). You can read more about it here:

http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1942b/#M...1T_42-722T

http://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showth...?tid=15028 (scroll down to 42-720T, 42-721T, 42-722T)

I could not find a schematic for the 42-720. The chassis, however, appears to be very similar (if not identical to) the 42-724.

Now that I have this radio on the bench and partially disassembled, I have found that this seems to be a bit of an oddball.  There are no labels, no rubber stamps on the chassis, nothing. More on that later.

Let's take a look under the hood.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00002.jpg]

Did you notice the writing on the electrolytic caps?

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00003.jpg]

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00004.jpg]

Production samples, made by Magnavox for Philco and dated 4/4/1941.

Another sample part - the two-section trimmer condenser which is just right of center in the under-chassis photo above:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00005.jpg]

It is marked "TELERADIO SAMPLE".

I am wondering if this radio is a preproduction sample?

Well...if it were in better shape, I would just leave it alone and let it be a "shelf queen." But this radio was obviously used - and used a lot. The brown flocking on the backing plate behind the dial glass has turned black and is in bad shape; it will need to be reflocked.

Someone drilled a few holes in the side of the cabinet, for some strange reason.

The original Tenite escutcheon is gone, replaced by a wooden escutcheon that is OK but just not quite the same as an original. I can tell the wood escutcheon is much newer by the crude pieces of metal attached to the back that are holding the glass dial scale in place.

Worst of all...the glass dial scale is broken. And it's one of those dial glasses that is painted on the front and back.

Because of all this, I decided to proceed with the rebuilding. It is going to need a lot more than just a recap and recarb, so it won't be finished right away. I'll have to find out how to reflock the metal backing plate, and figure out what to do about the dial scale. And, of course, those lovely rotten rubber-covered wires.

So...I've already removed all of the paper and electrolytic capacitors and have melted out and removed the original innards from all of them. This set, too, will receive new caps restuffed in the original sleeves.