Other radios based on the same chassis:
Appearance similar to the model 32 but appears to be redesigned to use miniature valves.
The models 27 and 32 were the dual wave and broadcast band (respectively) table models from Columbus in 1948 (although some early examples have been seen with a 1947 date code). The cabinet style was pretty standard for sets from Columbus around this era, although later variants used the newer rectangular escutcheon without the step-down at the bottom that was so common on sets from around WWII. There were quite a few variants, so expect to see a suffix letter of some sort
Model 32 - 6 Valve, Broadcast Band
There were at least 5 version of the model 32 over almost as many years.
1948 - model 32 - US octal lineup.
1950 - model 032 - US octal lineup, slightly rearranged AGC circuitry
1951 - model 032M - miniature valves }
1952 - model 032N - miniature valves } differences not documented at this stage.
1953 - model 32A - miniature valves } - its not clear why the 0 prefix was dropped for this final (?) variant
Model 27 - 5 Valve, Dual Wave (BC + SW)
Not enough variants have been sighted yet to note the differences.
Intermediate Frequency: 455kc/s
Frequency Bands: 1
Chassis Notes(most schematics can be clicked to download a full size version)
No schematic currently held
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 |
|---|---|
| 1951 | Columbus model 032M |
| 1951 | Courtenay model 032M |
MENU
