Hi,

I wonder if anyone can give me a year of manufacture for a General Electric L-651. I'vge just purchased one in the UK, and it has a "Board of Trade" stamp on the bottom, indicating it was supplied as part of teh "Lend-Lease" radio supply in late 1943 or early 1944. Were these current models, new models, or firms off-loading old stock?

Thanks

Jim Beacon.

Hi, Jim. Stein's guide lists it as a 1940 model. Could have been built in '39 for the '40 model year?

Since this was furnished to the UK under "Lend-Lease," we want it back!

Seriously, I knew we sent destroyers, etc., to Britain under Lend-Lease, but AM broadcast radios?

Hi Doug,

thanks for your reply - it looks like we got the left overs from old models!

By 1943, the British radio industry had gone over to war work, and only a few domestic sets were made, mainly finishing off items on the production line from 1939, as and when parts were available.

The situation became even more desperate, as the only valves being made were service types.

To overcome the severe shortage of both spare parts, and complete sets, the decision was taken to import sets from the USA, with around 10000 arriving in late 1943, and another 30000 or so arriving in 1944. These were then converted to run on UK mains (240V AC in most places), and sent out to radio dealers.

In late 1944, a government designed set was made by around 40 manufacturers, using a common design for chassis and cabinet, and these were made in large numbers until the end of the war.

Jim.