The PHILCO Phorum

I bought a model 52B from a local collector.  Cabinet is near perfect and the chassis is untouched.  I've never worked on a radio this old, and joined the Phorum.  My radio has a sticker on the back that identifies it as a Chassis Type 52.

My first question involves the tube lineup for the RF/IF/Det/Audio/Rectifier functions.


The set  came with 24 / 39(44) / 24 / 47 / 80

The schematic on the Phorum lists:  24 / 35 / 24 / 47 / 80

Inside, on the tube shield is a sticker that says "Philco Model 224" and it has a beautiful 3D drawing of the chassis.  It lists 36 / 44 / 36 / 42 / 80

I can post pictures if this helps, thanks for any info!!

Dave Gribble

Hi Dave and welcome,
>The set  came with 24 / 39(44) / 24 / 47 / 80

There's one tube in this group that doesn't belong. The 39/44 has a 6.3v heater where all of the other are 2.5v tubes. I'd go w/the chassis sticker as the tube shield may have been changed somewhere along the line. Methinks you'll be needing a 35 tube it's also goes by 35/51. In a pinch a 24A would probably work.

< It lists 36 / 44 / 36 / 42 / 80

These are similar to the above tubes BUT have 6.3v heater (barring the 80 it's 5v).
Oh come to think of it if it has a 47 tube in it it has to have a 2.5v set of tube as the 42 uses a different socket.

Hope this answer your question.

Welcome to the Phorum!


Tubes 24, 35, and 47 all have a 2.5v filament requirment

A 39/44 tube uses 6.3v so it was probably added in there because it sorta looks like a 35 to make a sale easier, I don't think it would work in a 2.5 volt system....just a guess.

If I remember correctly a Model 224 is an exported version of a 24 but I can't locate a schematic.  The 52 sticker on the chassis should be a positive ID that its a 52.  The tube shield may have come from another set.  I doubt if it left the factory that way but who knows...1932 was a rough year for radio sales and they may have made some short cuts.  

Others more familiar with these will surely chime in with thoughts.  Pictures might help.

update: I see Terry was typing at the same time I was ... he knows a LOT more than I do...

Thanks Gentlemen, that makes sense.    Here is a pic of the radio as received.



Here are a few of the chassis, showing the incorrect label on the tube shield