Zenith Trans Oceanic Clipper 8g005 Short Wave Tube Radio

ZENITH TRANS OCEANIC CLIPPER 8G005 SHORT WAVE TUBE RADIO. As noted in the condition notes, this radio is able to power on and tune in stations. The cord is frayed to the point of bare metal in some spots (shown to some degree in pics), and the insulation around some of the wires on the inside is brittle and cracking.

The case is in pretty decent shape, though there are some gouges here and there, but especially near the bottom. The biggest of these is about an inch by 3/8 inch. The antenna telescopes in and the spring is good, but the latch that keeps it in the case when not in use is not working, so it sticks up about 3/4 inch. Check out other radios for sale! This set was made around 1947, closely following the end of World War II.

By the time the wartime manufacturing hiatus ended, Zenith had redesigned the original Clipper, producing this handsome and dramatic multi-band portable. In this article, I describe the Model 8G005 and describe restoration techniques that apply to this and other tube TransOceanics. The sweeping lines and bold colors of this radio give an impression of power without too much complexity. It's an outstanding example of postwar industrial design.

The postwar TransOceanic case is only slightly wider and taller than the original Clipper case, but it appears much bigger when open because the case front flips up instead of down. The flip-up cover was a definite improvement over the removable Clipper cover, which often was lost. The gorgeous tuning dial occupies front and center, with a lacquered brass bezel surrounding the dial and incorporating the four red Radiorgan tone switches below.

The six bandswitches stand in a column to the right of the dial, an arrangement that didn't change until the very last transistor TransOceanics. The bottom of the case front also flips down to expose the integrated operator's manualabout a dozen slender pages printed on stiff black paper and permanently mounted with a wire-O type binding. The integrated operator's manual is unique to the 7G605 and 8G005 models. It's a great user-friendly feature. Later models of tube TransOceanic eliminated the flip-down cover to reduce manufacturing costs. On those radios, the manual is a separate booklet that can be clipped inside the back cover. In defense of the detached manuals, they also include much more information, including a complete schematic, so consumers gained extra content at the price of reduced convenience. The case is covered in "Black Stag" leatherette, the most common covering for tube-powered TransOceanics. The rare military R-520/URR came in brown oilcloth and brown leather became an extra-cost option during the later 600 series. When closed, the radio looks like a chunky black overnight case. Only the Zenith logo on the large brass clasp tells you there's a radio inside. TransOceanic experts can always spot an 8G005 with the cabinet closed, however, because the sides are slightly beveleda subtle design feature that disappeared in later models. Note that the carrying handle is rigid and rather thin. These handles are easily broken, so you may wish to carry your 8G005 from the bottom. It's the black oval plastic plate with the lightning Z logo. Two other antennas are provided for shortwave reception. The telescopic Waverod antenna pops straight up when you press a catch, unlike the original Waverod, which had to be rotated into position after opening the back.

In later transistor models, the extensible antenna was concealed within a hinged carrying handle, which proved to be quite fragile. The compartment below the chassis is where you would place the large TransOceanic battery. The TransOceanic is easy to use compared to most shortwave receivers of the time. The bandswitch buttons are labeled with information about the best time of day for reception in each band, and the tone switches and other controls leave nothing to doubt. Although lacking boatanchor features such as a separate bandspread tuner or variable selectivity, the TransOceanic still delivers outstanding shortwave performance.

It uses electronic bandspread in the shortwave bands, which, in plain English, means that the stations are more spread out than they would be otherwise. On a shortwave set lacking bandspread, it may require the fingers of a brain surgeon to tune in your favorite stations! This radio does not have a dial lamp, an intentional feature aimed at prolonging battery life. A red flag does appear in the dial when it's switched on, however.

Tube TransOceanics also have a volume control that doesn't go to complete silence when you turn it all the way down. The radio is faintly audible at minimum volume, reminding you that it's still turned on and consuming battery power. The headphone jacks are on the rear of the chassis. Later models moved the headphone jack to the front panel and added a dial lamp with a slide-and-hold switch on the front. The third antenna is the bright red Zenith Shortwave Magnet, stowed with two clips inside the back cover. This antenna was provided for use while traveling in a train or airplane. You plugged its cable into the radio and stuck the antenna onto a window by its rubber suction cups. The item "ZENITH TRANS OCEANIC CLIPPER 8G005 SHORT WAVE TUBE RADIO" is in sale since Sunday, May 28, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone\Radios\Tube Radios\1930-49".

The seller is "bielio" and is located in Akron, Ohio. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Russian federation, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia.

Brand: Zenith
Model: Clipper
MPN: 8G005