Description of catalin plastic
Click on any
image to see more views of the radio
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Bendix
| Model: |
526-C |
| Year: |
1946 |
| Dimensions: |
11.25x6x6.75 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
This radio was an
incredible success for Bendix. It is one of the more common catalin radios found not
only because of the number made but because of it's superior innovative and unusual
construction. |
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Dewald
| Model: |
A501 |
| Year: |
1947 |
| Dimensions: |
9.75x5.5x6.5 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
Also known as the
"harp" radio. Frequently this radio will have either a cracked dial glass
or hairlines surrounding it. The harilines occurred because, over time, catalin
tends to shrink and the glass dial didn't. |
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Dewald
| Model: |
A501 |
| Year: |
1947 |
| Dimensions: |
9.75x5.5x6.5 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
This is the rarer
brown version of the above radio. A variation of this radio has a clock
"stuck" into the middle of the grill bars. |
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Emerson
| Model: |
400 |
| Year: |
1942 |
| Dimensions: |
11x6.25x7 |
| Original Price |
$15.00 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
This was a very
popular model from Emerson, called the "Aristocrat" it came in a variety of
colors and combinations. A red, white and blue version was known as the
"Patriot" was created for the W.W.II efforts. This is a rare green one. |
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Emerson
| Model: |
400 |
| Year: |
1942 |
| Dimensions: |
11x6.25x7 |
| Original Price |
$15.00 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
This is a heavily
marbled brown version of the Aristocrat. |
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Fada
| Model: |
5F60 |
| Year: |
1937 |
| Dimensions: |
8.25x4.25x5.25 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
This set is thought of
by many to be Fadas first catalin radio. It may very well be the first cabinet made
of catalin by any manufacturer. I like it because of its simplistic styling.
The Cabinet is basically a rectangular box with a few cutouts. |
 |
Fada
| Model: |
L56 |
| Year: |
1938 |
| Dimensions: |
9x5.5x6.5 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
My wife's favorite
catalin radio. It is a classic design and highly sought after by collectors.
It has a curious handle that is impractical and was probably included more for decoration
than use. |
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Fada
| Model: |
652 |
| Year: |
1946 |
| Dimensions: |
11x6x7 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
Also known as the
"temple", first sold in 1942, was so successful that Fada brought it back after W.W.II for a couple
of years. It came in a myriad of color and trim combinations. The cabinet too
was modified for different looks - some came with the grill bars missing for an open
look and other models had an insert grill. |
 |
Fada
| Model: |
700 |
| Year: |
1946 |
| Dimensions: |
10.5x5.5x6.5 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
This set also known as
the "cloud" came in at least five colors - yellow, maroon, blue, green, and
onyx. The Fada model 845 is a polystyrene version of this cabinet design. |
 |
Fada
| Model: |
711 |
| Year: |
1947 |
| Dimensions: |
9.75x5x6 |
| Tubes: |
|
|
This, the last of
Fada's radios being made of catalin, to me, is not a particular pretty radio. The only reason I
have for owning three of them is that I like Fadas and they were relatively inexpensive.
This is the maroon version. |
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Fada
| Model: |
711 |
| Year: |
1947 |
| Dimensions: |
|
| Tubes: |
|
|
This
is obviously the yellow version of the 711. This set also came in an olive green and royal
blue. |
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