Bought a plastic RCA-V radio at antique store in Franklin, TN last week.

The "sticker" had been scratched off the bottom, so no model number, but the chasis has these numbers on the left:
RC1079B
B274

and on the right: 020

It's plastic, brown, AM only, with a large speaker in the middle (with gold grille) tuner along the bottom. Volume on left side, tone on the right.

I've been able to find pictures on EBAy of similar RCA's:
RCA-9-X-571 and RCA-9-x-551

they are similar, but they may be a bit larger than mine (but the tuner on the bottom is identical).

Mine says RCA V on the front.

Hi Mike,
Your radio is either a model 9X571 or 9X572, both of which use chassis RC-1079. This is an AM-only AC/DC radio, with tube lineup of 12SA7, 12SK7, 12SQ7, 50L6GT and 35Z5GT. These were introduced in 1949, and are commonly known as the RCA "Bullhorn" radios, for obvious reasons. They are very good AM radios, with excellent bass response from that big 8" speaker. On the front should be a gold plastic script nameplate reading "RCA Victor". Obviously a portion of yours is broken off, leaving only the "RCA V" you describe.

RCA published service data for this radio, and it is also covered in SAMS Photofact #107-7. You may be able to locate these at a local public library, if not contact me and I can send you a copy via US mail.
Poston

:Bought a plastic RCA-V radio at antique store in Franklin, TN last week.
:
:The "sticker" had been scratched off the bottom, so no model number, but the chasis has these numbers on the left:
:RC1079B
:B274
:
:and on the right: 020
:
:It's plastic, brown, AM only, with a large speaker in the middle (with gold grille) tuner along the bottom. Volume on left side, tone on the right.
:
:I've been able to find pictures on EBAy of similar RCA's:
:RCA-9-X-571 and RCA-9-x-551
:
:they are similar, but they may be a bit larger than mine (but the tuner on the bottom is identical).
:
:Mine says RCA V on the front.
:
:
:

Mike,
This is a correction to my earlier posting. In re-reading your message, I note that you mentioned chassis RC-1079B, instead of RC-1079. This makes your radio a model 9X561/9X562. It is covered in SAMS #101-9. It is very similar to the model 9X571 which I described earlier, with some minor differences in the function switch, and a different type of grille.
Poston

:Hi Mike,
:Your radio is either a model 9X571 or 9X572, both of which use chassis RC-1079. This is an AM-only AC/DC radio, with tube lineup of 12SA7, 12SK7, 12SQ7, 50L6GT and 35Z5GT. These were introduced in 1949, and are commonly known as the RCA "Bullhorn" radios, for obvious reasons. They are very good AM radios, with excellent bass response from that big 8" speaker. On the front should be a gold plastic script nameplate reading "RCA Victor". Obviously a portion of yours is broken off, leaving only the "RCA V" you describe.
:
:RCA published service data for this radio, and it is also covered in SAMS Photofact #107-7. You may be able to locate these at a local public library, if not contact me and I can send you a copy via US mail.
:Poston
:
:
::Bought a plastic RCA-V radio at antique store in Franklin, TN last week.
::
::The "sticker" had been scratched off the bottom, so no model number, but the chasis has these numbers on the left:
::RC1079B
::B274
::
::and on the right: 020
::
::It's plastic, brown, AM only, with a large speaker in the middle (with gold grille) tuner along the bottom. Volume on left side, tone on the right.
::
::I've been able to find pictures on EBAy of similar RCA's:
::RCA-9-X-571 and RCA-9-x-551
::
::they are similar, but they may be a bit larger than mine (but the tuner on the bottom is identical).
::
::Mine says RCA V on the front.
::
::
::

You are right on the money, after doing a web search using the model numbers you provided, that is it!

Thanks much!

If you (or anyone else) has access to SAM'S #101-9, I would appreciate a copy:
Mike Dorwart
6869 Lenox Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32205

The prices people charge for them are higher than I paid for the radio!

Cabinet is in exellent shape, but what's the best way to clean it (especially scotch tape that is at least 20 years old) without damaging it?

Also looks like some repairs were done since 1949, some newer caps were used somewhere along the line (and one really big orange Mallory capacitor the size of a roll of quarters.)

Speaker is in excellent shape (though quite dry). Any way to condition the speaker so it doesn't crack when used?

Hi Mike

The model Poston mentioned is also in Rider. You will have a copy by email if the address posted is good?

Norm
:You are right on the money, after doing a web search using the model numbers you provided, that is it!
:
:Thanks much!
:
:If you (or anyone else) has access to SAM'S #101-9, I would appreciate a copy:
:Mike Dorwart
:6869 Lenox Ave.
:Jacksonville, FL 32205
:
:The prices people charge for them are higher than I paid for the radio!
:
:Cabinet is in exellent shape, but what's the best way to clean it (especially scotch tape that is at least 20 years old) without damaging it?
:
:Also looks like some repairs were done since 1949, some newer caps were used somewhere along the line (and one really big orange Mallory capacitor the size of a roll of quarters.)
:
:Speaker is in excellent shape (though quite dry). Any way to condition the speaker so it doesn't crack when used?
:
:

Mike,
The Rider schematic Norm has sent you will get you started. But the SAMS will be a little more helpful, especially if you are a beginner in radio repair. In particular, its underside chassis photo with all components identified and referenced to the parts list and schematic is a big plus. If you need a copy let me know and I will send you a xerox copy via US mail.

That big Mallory capacitor is your electrolytic filter capacitor. This is usually the first thing needing replacement in an old radio, as they tend to deteriorate with time. If yours is bad it will show up immediately as excessive hum. For replacement you can use individual electrolytic capacitors rated at 160v or higher, rather than the multi-section cardboard tubular unit. I would not worry about the speaker, as long as it is intact. While it may look dry, it should perform fine.
Poston

:Hi Mike
:
: The model Poston mentioned is also in Rider. You will have a copy by email if the address posted is good?
:
:Norm
::You are right on the money, after doing a web search using the model numbers you provided, that is it!
::
::Thanks much!
::
::If you (or anyone else) has access to SAM'S #101-9, I would appreciate a copy:
::Mike Dorwart
::6869 Lenox Ave.
::Jacksonville, FL 32205
::
::The prices people charge for them are higher than I paid for the radio!
::
::Cabinet is in exellent shape, but what's the best way to clean it (especially scotch tape that is at least 20 years old) without damaging it?
::
::Also looks like some repairs were done since 1949, some newer caps were used somewhere along the line (and one really big orange Mallory capacitor the size of a roll of quarters.)
::
::Speaker is in excellent shape (though quite dry). Any way to condition the speaker so it doesn't crack when used?
::
::

Received schematics and Photofacts today, thanks again it will really help!