Wartime Civilian Receiver

At one stage during the World War II it was estimated that up to a million sets were out of service due to lack of service engineers or unavailability of components and parts. The situation was relieved to a degree by the importation of foreign sets, particularly from the USA, however the Government realised that this situation could not continue so looked for other ways to increase supply. The result was a single design of receiver that would be built by all radio manufacturers. Named the "Civilian Wartime Receiver", it was available in a mains or battery version. Designed for medium wave reception only, it aimed to offer a satisfactory and reliable performance using the minimum of components and labour. The cabinet was constructed from inexpensive wood, according to a design by the British Radio Cabinet Makers' Association. The Civilian Wartime Receiver was built by 42 different manufacturers, and each manufacturer was allocated a code number commencing U. 

Dr G.D. Reynolds from Murphy Radio designed the set, and some 175,000 were sold before cessation of hostilities.  The receiver cost £12.3.4.  The pictures above show some details from the receiver.  Centre left shows the scale of the receiver, which can be seen to be simple sprayed metal plate.  Each receiver had a transfer applied to the top of the cabinet with text as follows: "War-Time Civilian Receiver: produced by the radio industry under government direction". (picture above centre right).  The picture on the far right above shows the instructions pasted on the receiver back panel.

Continue to the Civilian Wartime Receiver Codes

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