Wireless Set No. 52 Canadian - Project

[David Dunlop]

As I have been cleaning up the panels on the two 52-Set receivers, I became more and more curious regarding how much luminous paint had survived over the years and how much might have been replaced when the receivers went in for servicing. I have no idea of the history of the Main Set Receiver, but the Remote Receiver has an added, white decal below the Meter that states “NON-LUMINOUS DIAL” that I have assumed related to the Meter, as it is a different design than the ones on the other two receivers. So this receiver has definitely been in for some level of overhaul in its service life.

I did a little research recently to refresh my memory about Phosphorescent Paint, which confirmed the activating energy for the phosphors is ultraviolet radiation. And as luck would have it, our daughter’s Black Light was still tucked away in a corner of the basement. And it still worked!

Unlike Radioluminescent Paint that glows continuously until the phosphors burn out, the Phosphorescent Paint used on the 52-Set and 19-Set panels charges up during the day while exposed to natural ultraviolet energy and in the dark, the glow will last from 8 to 10 hours. Gradually fading away in the process. This cycle repeats itself daily.

I checked the Main Set Receiver, the Remote Receiver and out of curiosity, also my 1944 RCA Wireless Set No. 19 Mk III Cdn. I took three photos of each item. The first is in normal light. The second was taken while charging the Phosphorescent Paint with the Black Light for about two minutes . These second images show a combination of florescence off the various materials on the three front panels, as well as luminescence generated by the Phosphorescent Paints. The third photo in each set is a 12 second time exposure started immediately after the Black Light was turned off. It might be a bit hard to see in these smaller, low Resolution images, but the luminescence is actually quite bright initially but dims off quickly. In complete dark, the eye can see the glow for about 10 minutes. Actually not bad for 75 year old phosphors!

This first set of photos is the 52-Set Receiver. I will post the other two sets shortly.

David

[David Dunlop]

These three photos are of the Remote Receiver.

I was surprised to discover the decal referring to the presence of non-luminous paint was not related to the Meter, but to the fact the Frequency Dial was no longer luminous.

It was also interesting to see where the panel paint had been touched up, which is not readily apparent under normal lighting.

David

[David Dunlop]

This last set is of my WS No. 19 Mk III Cdn, all built in 1944, the same year as the Marconi 52-Set equipment. The Transceiver is RCA, the PSU is Northern Electric, the Crystal Calibrator is Marconi and the Pocket Watch is unmarked.

David

[David Dunlop]

A little bit more cleaning up work done on the Main Set Receiver this last week as I removed all valves with their related shields and caps and gave everything a good cleaning to get all surface dirt and oils off of them. Three or four valves showed a slight bit of looseness between the glass envelope and the base plug assembly, but nothing alarming. To be expected with 75 year old putty I suppose.

Prior to cleaning the valves, I had warmed the receiver up and used the Meter to test the valves it was intended to and found no response for V1B and V1F. After cleaning and reassembly, I rechecked the two valves on the Meter. The first couple of times on each valve, nothing. On the third time moving the selector switch to each questionable valve, the Meter Indicator twitched. Fiddling the switch a bit resulted in excellent readings for both valves. Turns out the problem was oxidation buildup on the switch contacts and not the valves. I have a can of contact cleaner kicking about somewhere, but have had it in the shop for quite a few years now. Might be best to purchase a new can and toss the old one when I find it. But in the meantime, another little problem solved.

The Handles No. 72 and Screws, Clamping No. C2 on the Frequency Dial of the Main Set Receiver are very badly chipped and oxidized. On my backup receiver, these items are mint, so I have decided the next project will be to swap them out. This means digging out my overhaul manual for the WS No. 19 and refreshing my memory on the correct procedure as it has been a while since I last did that work and it involves a number of fiddly bits and correct sequences as I recall. Interestingly, the Drives, Capacitor, No. C1 used on the 52-Set is identical to the one used on the 19-Set, but the 52-Set Parts List notes that the Drives manufactured for the 52-Set were built to higher tolerances than those for the 19-Set.

David

[David Dunlop]

I had a set of these that came with some 19-Set bits years ago. The Mic was finished in wrinkle No. 2 Brown. Recently I came across another headgear assembly, along with a couple of other items, for sale. This set apparently had a Mic that was finished in wrinkle Olive Green, and I thought that would make an interesting pairing for the 52-Set Project.

The three items arrived in the Mail yesterday and what had looked like the correct green in the photos, turned out to be another NATO Green repaint. On the bright side, however, lots of chips in the paint reveal that the original colour was also wrinkle No. 2 Brown, so it all works out.

David

[David Dunlop]

Two of these items were issued with the Remote Receiver Kit and were stored in the wooden Remote receiver Operating Case.

I had one Receivers, Headgear still in a parts bin, which I think had been left over from a number of Wireless Remote Control Sets I had accumulated years ago.

A few weeks back I came across another one of these headgear, still in it's original factory box. I am not certain, but think that when the 52-Sets were originally issued, all of the kit stored in the various cases would have been in original packaging and the Wireless Operators would have unpacked what was needed and the rest would have stayed unopened until needed. So I think this item will work well, whenever I find the wooden case for the Remote Receiver. One headset will be ready for action and the other still in the box.

David

[David Dunlop]

The last items that arrived this week were a pair of these replacement receivers, also in their original packaging.

A pair of these were issued as spares in the 52-Set Spare Parts and Valves Box and they would have served as replacements for either of the two headgear items issued with the 52-Set.

Interestingly, both this package and the earlier noted Receivers, Headgear, MC Cdn Mk 1, in its original packaging, were held at one time (May 58 actually) in 25 Central Ordnance Depot, Montreal, Quebec. I would love to have had a tour of THAT facility in the late 1950's!

David