Hi,
I've just been given an E.D. valve (tube) radio control set comprising a P.C.I transmitter and 'Airtrol' receiver - brand new in the box!
It was made in 1958 and I have an advert from a contemporary magazine but I'm looking for more information about it - extensive searches on the web have produced no results at all!
The set probably needs to go to a collection or a museum but I've no idea who would be interested.
Any ideas or info?
Richard richard.smith (at) mewgull.com
Don't know about the transmitter, but the receiver was marketed by Berkeley in the US as a kit. I had one in the mid-50's. I recall it required a 67.5 volt battery, which would be unobtainium now days. I also recall that if you tinkered with it enough you could get it to work in your shop, but it seldom worked for a complete flight in the field. Back in those days RC was really free flight, occasionally interrupted by a radio signal.
The transmitter I used was from a kit sold by Ace, and I believe the escapement was also an Airtrol from Berkeley.
In the US, I would try tossing it at the AMA museum; do you have a similar museum on your side of the pond?
From Tom M.:
Remember that was just the 'B' battery for the plate supply. It also took an 'A' battery (usually a D size dry cell or two) to run the tube filament(s). Nowadays you can strap together seven or eight standard 9V square battreies to make up the 'B' pack. It would weigh about the same or slightly more than the original. In any case the plane had a job just hauling the batteries. Bill(oc)
These are still available:
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