Other radios based on the same chassis:
6-valve dual wave radio
Most likely based on a Radio Corp NZ model 18 chassis, but could also be a model 21. According to the photo by JWS it was known as a model 9.
It's worth considering the possibility that this was mislabeled by John Stokes (the photo came from his archives), and that it does contain, in fact, an RCNZ model 9 chassis - which would make it a 5 valve dual wave set. The model 9 was effectively just a 5-valve version of the model 8 - with the same outward appearance - aero dial and 4 controls with 2" spacing between each... in fact the 5- and 6-valve dual-wave sets from Radio Corp across about 3 model years (1934-35: 108 & 109, 1935-36: 8, 9, and 1936-37: 18 and 39) would all fit each others cabinets perfectly. There were 7 valve dual-wave sets as well, although these chassis' were sometimes wider and might not fit all cabinets designed for the 5- or 6-valve models.
Intermediate Frequency: 456kc/s
Frequency Bands: 2
Chassis Notes(most schematics can be clicked to download a full size version)
Model 18 chassis, found in chest-style and tombstone cabinets, sometimes with a vibrator power supply. Dual wave. Radiomuseum has a tombstone without magic eye, and the schematic does not show one, yet many examples have an eye fitted. Production serial numbers have been noted in both 1936 and 1937.
The standard chassis has 4 knobs - although many model 18's have 6, which indicates a vibrator power supply is fitted and it is designed to run from batteries or mains.
General Construction Notes for Radio Corporation of New Zealand Ltd:
The first digit of the serial number typically indicates the year of manufacture of RCNZ chassis' (although not the decade - that requires a little knowledge of the valves, construction, etc). Sets from around 1934 onwards were often (but not always) constructed in a distinctive pressed 'baking pan' style chassis, seemingly unique to RCNZ.
Model codes beginning with a 0, for example the model 051, are Osram valve versions of the model without the leading 0. Technically the 0 should be an O (for Osram), however the digit 0 was used throughout the site before this fact was discovered.
The E suffix indicates a magic eye option is fitted (in models which were available with or without, such as the model 25).
A and B suffixes appear to be simply updates to the current model, R also appears to be simply an updated model ('R'edesign, perhaps?)
P indicates either a permanent magnet speaker version of a model which also came with an electromagnet speaker (the model 26 for example), or a portable model (like the model 694P). This suffix was used in the mid 50's when Radio Corp was changing over.
N and M indicated miniature valve versions of a model which started with all (or a mix, ie: model 5) of larger valves. One of these two codes may indicate a transitional mixture of octal and miniature - clarification is required.
S often indicates a stereo model. It can also indicate 'self-biased' in the transition period between back-biased and self biased sets where there were models with both methods employed (53S for example)
Finally, other suffixes and prefixes make occasional appearances in the RCNZ lineup - like the 66W (a variant of the long-running model 66) and the 75XA (a 10-valve version of the model 75 with a separate amplifier chassis).
Model nicknames are often sourced from either newspaper advertising, company literature or the NZ Radio Traders Federation official trade-in price books (Particularly Courtenay models from this publication)
In 1954, model numbering changed, to begin with the number of valves (ie: 501 - 5 valves, 1006 - 10 valves, etc) although the final 2 digits don't appear to have much significance. Middle digits of 5 (portable) or 6 (mantle, including clock radio) are used on the AWA-designed plastic-cased sets.
| YEAR | MODEL NAME |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Columbus model 18 |
| 1936 | Courtenay model 18 'Harmony' |
| 1936 | Stella model 18 |
| 1936 | Pacific model 18 |
| 1936 | Courtenay model 18V |
| 1936 | CQ model 18 |
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