[RodB]

Reply to question 4: This is called a terminal strip with terminal lugs for soldering parts and wires.This blue wire is also a part of the tone switch circuit. If you look at the schematic where 46, 47 and blue wire meet then follow part 46 (51k resistor) to a tap on the volume control. This is a tone compensation circuit for low volume settings. When the tone switch is in the ON position it puts a ground on the blue wire shorting out cap 47. Someone added a ground wire spliced in to the blue wire to permanently short out the effect of cap 47. I suspect that after you replace the paper caps and remove the spliced wire you will hear a noted difference in the tone switch settings.

BTW Try to avoid using Philco part numbers when referring to the schematic or parts layout if you can. It's easier and quicker for us to identify them if you use the reference number or value. Many of the part numbers were obsolete by the time the radio left the assembly line.