Continental Star-Raider RP-40

[radiofox]

Hello, Id like to introduce myself.

 

Some of you probably already know who I am My name is Steve and Ive been collecting and restoring tube electronics for most of my life.
Ive always had an interest in antique radios but I have to blame the late Doug Houston from Ortonville Michigan as well as Art Miller from Jackson Michigan for my interest in electric machines. I was a teenager when I first met them at the AWA Conference in Canandaigua NY in 1986. Since then Ive collected a fair number of interesting ones even though they seriously take up space and weigh a ton.

 

This Continental Star-Raider RP-40 is the latest machine to come into my posession. Thanks to Carlton and Thomas.
It is an interesting beast as it has been modified from the original circuit. Especially in the power supply/amplifier chassis.

 

Originally it had a pair of 81 rectifiers and a pair of 50 output tubes. The 50s were actually specified to be Cardon 585s.
also missing are two current regulators to automatically adjust to line voltage fluctuations.

 

In their place, and marked accordingly is a 5Z3 rectifier and a pair of 45 output tubes. This is certainly a downgrade, but also makes tubing it up a bit easier.

 

Looking at the power transformer, it looks to be a factory job. All voltages present appear to be correct for the tubes this particular set uses.
The radio section still has the original seven Cardon 484 triodes. So this is quite a puzzle. The 5Z3 did not become available until 1933 along with the 2A3 output triodes, so why didn't they design this particular chassis to take 2A3s instead?

 

Also, what was left of Continental Radio Corp in 1933? I cannot seem to find evidence they went under, nor any activity until Continental Radio and Television in 1935 which used the name Admiral and was located in Chicago, not Fort Wayne Indiana.

Seriously a puzzle. The possibility does exist this was modified by a radio shop, but I would expect an aftermarket power transformer under the cover such as from Stancor. The tube labels and hole covers are so well done as is the wiring underneath. It does not look like a hack job, but very professionally done.

 

Anyhow, here are photos of this beautiful machine and I hope to someday soon get to restoring it to operation. But first I seriously need to get a Stromberg Carlson 744 off the bench and out of the way. Now THAT is a seriously HEAVY machine! Also a Capehart 406D is in the queue and that must be tackled soon 😄

-Steve