Black Bakelite cabinet with
chromium knobs and chromium ornaments in front of the
loudspeaker and station dial. The receiver has a backlit
tuning scale pointer. The design is probably by Wells
Coates. He also designed a matching black wooden
table for this radio. A redesign by Serge Chermayeff was
released in 1935 as AC86. The radio has six valves, automatic
volume control, noise and image suppression. Provision
is made for the connection of a gramophone and a high
impedance external loudspeaker.
The intermediate
frequency is 110 Kc/s.
The walnut
models blended in well with the more traditional interiors
of that time. The black and chromium models were
favoured by people who liked the modern architecture of
that period. A good example of this style is the former Daily
Express building on 120, Fleet Street, London (picture
below). It was constructed in 1930-1932.
The façade has
large windows and black Vitrolite panels with chromium strips.
This architecture is characterised by clear, bright
spaces with white walls and austere furniture.
The original
price was £13 12s. 6d. for the walnut model, £13 13s.
for the black and chromium model and an additional 10s.
6d. for a 25 c/s mains model. A rare white model was
also reported. The battery version is the B85.
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