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Beautiful post-war Bakelite Radio in Breadbox design, sharing the same chassis with the famous "Tuna Boat" Catalin Radios 66X8(9), Serviced and Working
In a Nutshell
This radio is rarer than the "Tuna Boat" catalin radios 66X8 and 9 with the same chassis. My radio is the Canadian version, simply called "MASTER", with 6 tubes and SW a real performer and - of course - working
Introduction:
RCA Victor's 1946 radio with model number 66X came out in several versions, all using the same chassis RC 1038. Plain bakelite 66X1 (this auction), ivory painted bakelite 66X2, two wooden versions 66X3 and 66X4, and two catalin versions 66X8 (red swirled) and 66X9 (black swirled), nick-named "Monolith" or the "Tunaboat", that are said to be the largest catalin radios ever made. There is an eternal debate, whether an elusive 66X7 version is from dark-blue catalin or from plastic. The dial glass of the catalin versions is slightly different though.
The chassis has an extra tube for RF amplification, compared to the standard All-American-Five set, and has a short-wave band from 9 to 12 MHz.
Additional information:
ref. 1. http://radioattic.com/item_sold.htm?radio=0051280
ref. 2. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140313992537
ref. 3. http://www.nostalgiaair.org
About my radio:
My radio is the Canadian version of the 66X1 US model, and is simply called "MASTER". I polished the bakelite surface by gradually enriching 0000 steel wool with hardwood floor wax. The cabinet has a little stabilized hairline at the lower left corner of the speaker grille opening, that is invisible in pict.7. The dial glass, speaker grille cloth, and knobs are original and in perfect shape. The chassis has been thoroughly cleaned and in-depth serviced. All moving parts have been treated with contact spray. Capacitors have been replaced as needed. The dial lights are two 6v bulbs and should be one day replaced by 3.5V bulbs for better brightness. The radio plays loud and clear on AM/BC, where it has good sensitivity and selectivity over the whole band spread. I did not test the short-wave reception.
The same radio recently sold for 210US$ (ref.1 above).
Here are the specifications:
Technical Description of Item |
| Manufacturer |
RCA Victor Co. Ltd., Montreal Canada |
| Model |
"MASTER", same as 66X1, chassis RC-1038 |
| Type |
6-tube AM/BC SW Superheterodyne Receiver |
| Production Year |
1946 |
| Serial Number |
4334 |
| Cabinet |
Brown swirled bakelite |
| Dial |
Illuminated reverse painted glass |
| Knobs |
3 original bakelite knobs |
| Frequency Range |
AM 540-1620 kHz, SW 9-12 MHz |
| Controls |
On/off-volume, tuning, band selector |
| Tube line-up |
12SG7(RF) 12SA7(1.Det) 12SK7(IF) 12SQ7(2.Det,AF) 35L6G(AF) 35Z5G(Rect) |
| Size (WxDxH) |
15" x 8½" x 7½" |
| Weight |
10 lbs = 4.5 kg |
| Comment |
Excellent condition, serviced and perfectly working |
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