Above: Wireless Set No. 19 MK II 1942 - Zenith Radio Corporation rescued from a scrap metal dealer in Mossel Bay, South Africa.
About 15 years ago I found a Wireless Set No. 19 MK II US Serial No: 4600??? at a scrap metal dealer in Mossel Bay, South Africa. Living at the coast has its advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage is metal rust at the see. As can be seen this radio set had some rust on it but only on the outside covers and here and there on other parts. I quickly grabbed the set and became the new owner of a 1942 No 19 Wireless Set manufactured by the Zenith Radio Corporation. Unfortunately there were no cables but a plus was the original wooden mounting rack as used in mounting the unit on a vehicle. Upon my arrival at home I took images of the radio. The inside of the radio still looked in a fairly good condition. My thought at that time was to restore the unit to it's former glory with the help om OM Willem ZS1ON. Well this did not happen as Willem became a silent key and without his help and knowledge this project was dead before it began.
Did this radio go back to the scrap metal dealer in Mossel Bay? NO. I found another good friend that was interested in restoring the radio. Casey Nootenboom ZS1AAS took over the restoration process. Not straight away as he had quite a few other restoration projects on the go, amongst them a R-1155 Lancaster Bomber Radio Receiver. Well I did not mind how long it would take as I knew that the No. 19 Mk II was in good hands and would definitely not end up at a scrap metal dealer but would one day found it's rightful place in a amateur radio shack or even better in a museum.
I found a great site with all the information you need about the Wireless Set No. 19 MK II. Herewith the links.
History of the Wireless Set No 19
The Wireless Set No. 19 Goes to the Movies
The Wireless Set #19 Mk II Manual
Wireless Set No 19 MkII Figures and Tables
Enjoy the photos. (Click on the images for larger view.)
