Early version of the model 15 Pacific 5-valve broadcast-band radio.
This seems to have been a final use for the lightning-bolt stepped cabinets used in 1934, most likely to use up remaining cabinet stocks.
There were probably very few of these produced and they don't seem particularly common today.
This set also uses an early version of the model 15 circuitry, and the chassis was custom built to fit the cabinet, unlike the later versions which were on the new standard 'baking-pan' style chassis that Radio Corp NZ had introduced to standardise production.
There were 7 main models of radio released by Pacific Radio Co. in 1935, or to be more precise there were 3 models of AC mains chassis (and several battery and vibrator models), fitted to one of 7 main cabinet styles (with the occasional oddball showing up in the mix).
The predominant chassis was the 6-valve dual-wave, with a 7-valve dual wave and a 5-valve broadcast version available as well.
Intermediate Frequency: 465kc/s
Frequency Bands: 1
Chassis Notes(most schematics can be clicked to download a full size version)
Service information RCNZ_-_model_15_-_5V_BC_AC_-_1935.pdf
First edition model 15. Later models used the second edition circuit.
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.
MENU
