[Ron Ramirez]

Only the 1939 Philco models have power transformers with rubber-covered leads. For the 1940 season Philco switched back to cloth-covered leads on its power transformers. The rubber leads of the power transformers probably didn't hold up well when the sets were new, if the transformers generated any heat.

That was really a dumb idea on Philco's part. That ranks right up there with David Grimes' bright idea of "Unit Construction" in the 1937 and most 1938 models.