[MarkBardenwerper]

Today, the 41-285 chassis arrived and I am impressed with its overall condition. It was reasonably priced at $28 plus shippiing. The only changes done to it are several new caps, not the neatest job, but easily improved. The tubes are all there, so now I have spares. Still could not test the 41's or the 85. No biggie. The power switch might be donnage, as it has one on the cord. It feels as if it works.

Solid wiring and no rust are it's biggest plusses. Original trans looks very good. Will test it yet tonight.
Did some research and so far, I see no difference between a 285 and a 255 chassis. They both have the additional 7A6 tube and the diagrams are clones. Will learn more as I proceed. 250, of course is the little sister to 255 table top, with this tube absent. 285 is a floor model crate.

Push buttons are in excellent condition. It has an additional light behind them. I wonder if they went to the wine colored buttons the next year to take advantage of that. The two faceplate lights are separated by a long slender plate. Seems a lot of bother for no reason, but this one will probably show brighter. I am not going to bodge it with the wrong (wine) buttons. I now have two sets to choose from, an old and a new.

Notice in the top picture the difference in the indicator on the 250, which has a single swinging cable operated indicator light. The 285 has three fixed lights (one wire present, all lamps absent). I do not think this is a model based difference. It is date based. According to the product changes at the bottom of the specifications and parts page, one of the later modifications was to get rid of the multiple lamps and go to this "swinging single" arrangement. One giveaway to this is the 285 is not drilled to accept the guides for the cable which is to the far right. The setup on the 250 is in good nick, but I do not see myself retrofitting the later gizmo on by installing the guide and fitting the tuning scale upright (which has the light swivel riveted to it) from the 250.

Also notice the difference in the faceplates. The one from the 285 is in better condition. Despite the presence of the square that says "Push But" on the one from the 250, the light does not swing that low so it is really senseless. Tuning scales are identical, but the mapping is changed, probably reflecting changes in the band usage.

A few tests should tell me conclusively which chassis to use. I am pretty sure right now it's the 285. This radio is common enough that I don't feel obliged to keep it original.