HMV 900 to Marconiphone 705 transplant.

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

Now I know that I'm going to cause a bit of controversy with this project as it could be construed as vandalism. I have bought an HMV 900 EMI MKI mirror-lid TV which, to my eye, is an ugly beast. I have also bought a Marconi 705 MKI mirror-lid cabinet with only the radio in it and the rest of the guts missing (CRT assembly, TRF, Sync and PSU chassis).
It is my plan to strip out the 900 of those chassis and fit them in the 705 to complete the set.
Now, Vandalism?? According the the Early TV Foundation database, there are 19 HMV 900 extant but only 7 Marconi 705s - I can't understand why that is as, in my opinion, the 705 is a much better looking, not like the monolithic 900!
All the records of what chassis etc. were installed in what sets have been lost (or more likely thrown away) in the passage of time.

So, what do you think, guys - pull no punches. I might ignore all that you say but I may not - if I can find the appropriate chassis, I will obviously not do it.

[crustytv]

Hi Brian,

firstly I don't think anyone could or should accuse you of vandalism of anything, quite the contrary. Your efforts over the years to pre-war television preservation, has been nothing short of the highest calibre. With that mind I think you more than anyone are best placed to know what is the best course of action with regards to the 705.

I for one support your rebuild proposal and will enjoy following yet another thread of yours, should you decide to go ahead with the project

[Cathovisor]

Let's be honest - it's not the last surviving example of a 900 (more 900s/705s alone exist than all pre-war Bairds!) but it does raise the question: what becomes of the empty 900 cabinet after you've finished?

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

If someone has a 900 in a grotty cabinet, then the answer is simple - do a another transplant. I think of Mikey405 and his 900 from the NVCF, the cabinet of which Mr Boynes so skilfully restored / rebuilt!
Maybe somewhere, there's another awful example, who knows.
One thing's sure, I won't burn it.

[crustytv]

I think of Mikey405 and his 900 from the NVCF, the cabinet of which Mr Boynes so skilfully restored / rebuilt!

I think you mean Mikeymushradio

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

Oh Dear! At least the Mikey bit was right! Sorry MMR and M405.

[peterscott]

Hi Brian,

Well I guess EMI were not aversed to a bit of chassis swapping after the war but your poor old 900 is a fairly early set!

I think that now that you are free from the clutches of GEC you should replicate the chassis parts for the 705.

Peter

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

Thanks for that, Peter. Fryingpan and fire spring to mind
One thing I wil say is that should a complete 705 turn up at a reasonable price, Then I will re-transplant the 900 bits if I still have the cabinet and sell it and the spare 705 cabinet to cover the 705 costs (say).

[peterscott]

Could you let me have the cabinet serial number of your 705 please?

P.

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

I get it next Wednesday, Peter (I was going to inform you anyway). The original radio is still in it but the TV stuff has all gone and there is an 1804 chassis installed. This is quite useful as I have an 1804 cabinet and two very rusty chassis so that's another transplant! Just call me Christian Barnard.

[Cathovisor]

I think that [...] you should replicate the chassis parts for the 705.

Indeed Brian - and you have all the bits to hand to replicate one exactly! No worrying about IF strips and the like!

[peterscott]

....and matching number cars seem to fetch more than bitsas...

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

Have you seen the fancy coil formers used in the RF strip of the MKIs, Mike? They are of a very early plastic, melt at the sight of an iron and have very thin flanges. I couldn't make something like that if I tried - so shut up and dream of more EMI MK1s coming to light - or maybe Bairds.