I did just that and eventually she came to life. Seems to pick up AM just fine (with a quickie antenna). SW I've not picked up a thing.

Ghod I'd forgotten how much I like the smell of tubes getting fully warmed.

Seems to get fairly loud, though the rheostat for the volume is dusty which isn't too surprising.

So, at least for now I believe it's mostly functional. I'm thinking of pulling the chassis, speaker, cloth and bezel off so I can strip and refinish it.

I'd like to clean the chassis as well but I'm not sure my spray can of 'ELECTRONICS CLEANER" is the best choice? Dunno what that stuff will do to prewar plastics and phenol resin sockets.

The dial is filthy (No plastic dome, it's gone, but thankfully looks like it's replaceable) and full of a greasy black dust. Looks like the missing 'Selector' knob is available to replace as well. The two banks of 'Tone' switches are really oxidized and don't work well, but they look fixable.

Both look like they've been repaired before since underneath one is screwed down with a 3/16 hex head screw and the other switch bank has a very worn head #1 yellow painted phillips screw. I would expect dull grey steel shotted screws in these spots.

Oh, BTW, should I leave it plugged in for a while just to warm it fully up (Warm enough that the cabinet gets warm to the touch?). I suspect it's been years or decades since it was last used and I'd like to be gentle with it as I revive it.

Nope, it's silent even when cranked all the way if there's no station, so no buzz.

I've gotten a crackle or two on SW, but nothing like I'm used to hearing on Short Wave.

I'll crank her up tonight and see if I can see a glow from the ones I can see (only 5 of the 7 are easily seen)

are you interested in a wards airline radio chassis? I have one I ended up just pulling out of the cabinet as it rotted thru completely. Im tired of tripping over it. I know I spent 45$ on the main amp tube 45. Interesting on that set you found, it looks as to have a modern chassis in the old unit with all the tube sockets missing. Im sure you are aware of the frying paper electrolyte caps, after years of sitting.
Nice find there!
ANd I think I have a spare to the unit you have there too. looks rather similar.

As much as I'd love it, I can't spare the space. I expect one I have this unit refinished it'll be eBay'd even though this 'Chairside' type cabinet would looks neat right next to the couch.

Very nice find, and take DB's advice, he works with these all the time =^.^=

Cool. I have some old dials if you are interested. I can take pics of them if you'd like.

Thankyuh!

Though it looks like I won't need a new one, just lots of careful cleaning.

Ok. Well if you ever need some just ask. I don't need these knobs.

Looks good! Gotta love the sight (and scent) of a tube set in operation <3 Hopefully it'll come to life. I wish I had my old Zenith Trans-Oceanic "portable" still, it seemed to be from around the same era.

If you can bring it back, please be sure to get a shot of those lit tubes in a darkened room.

Ooooh, yes, I could smell the tubes about 20 minutes into the power up. Ghod what a great odor. It just flooded me with scent memories.

And yes, these tubes will get to photography models. That was one of the first things I thought of when I saw this thing being dumped "Score, I can take some neat pictures if it powers up!"

I had it powered up tonight after I figured out how o connect an external source. It plays pretty loud, takes only about 9 seconds to warm enough for sound.

I took a first gen iPod with some Herb Albert on it and gave it some exercise. After about an hour the scent of the tubes along with the fresh shellac was awesome.

I need to find some 1940/41 audio material to play on it. I suspect at least one historical audio recording was heard on this radio in '1941' so I'll definitely have that Infamous one available to play through.

Once I have an AirPort Express and a day to set up some video I'll make a youtube of it playing some period stuff.

I suggest http://www.inficad.com/~bearizona/ and especially the Teddy Bear's Picnic link therein on the bottom. Its from the early 30s, a little before that radio's time, but I could certainly imagine that being played on it. ^^

is 7S547 the model number? If it is I'll look it up

Yep, that's the cabinet model, of that there are different 'trim' versions (this one is #6) with some truly stunning burl wood laminates on them!

Want an HP vacuum tube volt/ohm meter to go with it?

Ooo, does it have nixie tubes?

Unfortunately, no. That would be so cool.

It has an analog needle gauge, take a look at this, it's this exact same model:
http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/ar.....ew.php?item=31

And it is labeled "CALTECH: Undergraduate Physics Laboratory"

But I got it from a computer repair place that was closing a long time ago (early 1990s, I was in middle school) and they were throwing away all sorts of stuff, kind of like with your radio.

That is an AWESOME meter!

It's cool.

But it's not exactly practical to use as a volt/ohmmeter compared to anything remotely modern. I don't even want to turn it on for fear of burning up old capacitors.

Half of me thinks it's neat and wants to keep it/fix it up, the other half says "get rid of it already, you have too much crap!!!"

BTW, be sure to check out http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2579610/