The PHILCO Phorum

Full Version: What model is this?
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
My neighbor gave me a couple of radios he had in his garage since the early 90's. I need help identifing one of them. I think it's from 1928, I know it's a Philco but the tag in the back is half missing, and guess which half is gone.
Link to photos
http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk15/...t/Philcos/
It appears to be either an 86 or 551 highboy:
http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1929a.htm
Hi,

It's a model 86.

If you were to pull the tube shown with a red oval in the photo below out of its socket, you would see a model number tag behind it. That tag should read, in part:

PHILCO RADIO
"neutrodyne-plus"
MODEL 86

[Image: 86_back.jpg]

It might say "Model 82," in which case it would be a version of the 86 designed to operate on 25 cycle AC. But it is probably an 86.

I hope you don't mind my using one of your photos to help illustrate this.
Too bad about the RCA Radiola 17 being butchered up but the Philco model 86 certainly has prospects.
Regards
Arran
No problem using the photos Ron, I'll pull the tube and check it in th am. Should the cabinet be a light Walnut if I use Mohawk products?
I would say Medium Walnut overall, with some Medium Dark Walnut on the legs and stretcher base. Use the Mohawk Ultra Classic instead of the Tone Finish, the Ultra Classic has dyes instead of pigments and won't leave the legs and base looking as if they have been painted.

I think the Ultra Classic colors use different names than the Tone Finish, though. I'm not sure what the correct color names would be for the Ultra Classic. The color names I gave you are for Tone Finish.
Thanks Ron, I found the tag and it is a model 86. Thanks for the help, I am sure I'll have more questions as I get into it.