[GarySP]

Hello everyone.  I was given a unique radio this past week, a Minerva Tropic Master model w117.  Supposedly this radio was one of the few produced during war time, and apparently some were, but not this one.  On the Rola 6 inch speaker edge is a date stamp of nov 8 1945.  This would probably have been built in 1946, just after the war.  However, it still may be a war radio.  This radio belonged to my recently deceased brother, who was in turn given it by his father-in-law.  His father-in-law was an infantry foot soldier during the Korean conflict.  He brought this radio back with him.  So it is quite possible that it would have still been available at the PX as it was called by the makers, a "Morale Booster" radio.  Enough on its' background...

This thing is a tank!  It is all metal construction, and tips the scale at 22 pounds.  The chassis is hot on this set, and is suspended inside of the outer cabinet using four phenolic stand offs.  there were three versions of this set, mine being the first run.  In this run a series string for the heaters includes all tubes except the push-pull output 50L6's.  They are wired in parallel.  It wasn't a great system, but probably had a lot to do with parts scarcity in 1946.  Anyway, this wiring insured that if one of the 50L6 failed it would take its' companion with it.  The next version used two 25L6 wired in series so if one fails the other would just shut down.  I may make this modification to the set.

I will be changing out caps and carbon, and may also add an in - line fuse, but will not do much more than a good cleaning to the cabinet itself.  I prefer to keep it in its' "war hardened"  condition.  I welcome any and all information from my phorum phraternity.  I found a usable schematic in Riders, but if anyone knows of a clearer copy or the original that came with it, please let me know.  I'm sorry, but photographs will be coming shortly.  Take care, and BE HEALTHY!

Gary