What has a chrome chassis, colorful mirrored dial, 12" Jensen speaker, and 13 tubes? I paid $100 for this Western Air Patrol W492 (chassis model 2136, the Gilfillan 1331C has the same schematic and a different dial) on May 21, 2011.

I was eager to hear this one, so I've already replaced the capacitors and bad resistors just five days after getting it. I've not yet aligned it, but it sounds excellent, and is receiving stations well.







I needed one knob for it, and it is on the way thanks to Kelton (radioaddict):




Now I need to:

1) Replace the tunner assembly grommets/mounts;

2) Find or make a new dial belt;

3) Clean and lube the tunning assembly;

4) Replace rubber dial scale mount parts;

5) Clean the chassis and use chrome paint on some bare spots;

6) Align it;

7) Patch wave-grain veneer on the back edge of the top (after I find the proper veneer);

8 ) Patch straight-grain veneer on the back edge of one side

9) Strip the cabinet

10) Refinish the cabinet

Very nice looking radio, don't know how you find the space for consoles like that but if I tossed out a couch or two, well, maybe. Looking forward to seeing how it comes out.

Jerry

I was using it to listen to a "ham" in Bakersfield, CA talking with his buddies yerterday evening on the middle band between AM and shortwave, with nothing but a 12' wire laying on the garage floor. He spoke about one of their group having a Sony robot in his living room.

One anomoly - there are three bands, two colored lights (green for AM, red for SW), and a third wire from the dial band light portion of the ganged band switch assembly. I haven't yet found any place for a blue light for the middle band (these are the colors on the front of the dial).

Thanks Jerry. I've got a radio room (former guest bedroom). Still, with 21 consoles, I will sell most of them when they are finished. I'll put a few elsewhere in the house, such as the Wells Gardner in the entry foyer, as it looks made for such a location. (see finished thread on it).

The knob from Kelton (radioaddict) arrived yesterday, and is a match. Thanks again!

The new dial belt arrived.

I hope to finish the veneer repairs this weekend (back edge damage on the top and both sides, a few other spots).

The radios sounds and receives well, even thought I've not yet aligned it. I expect it will be quite good once I align it. I was waiting until I had a good frequency counter to see my signal generator accurately. I have that now, so can finish the chassis.

One odd thing on the chassis. There is a wire for blue light when the "ploice" band is selected, but no light. Apparently, they made the mirrored dial face with no opening for a blue light! I think I'll put one beside the red light for the shortwave band.

I found an ad for the radio!


Here are some photos of the current chassis and veneer repairs underway





IMG]http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/WesternAirPatrolW492chassisbottomfinished.jpg[/IMG]

The spraying of the first clear lacquer is always a pleasant milestone, reached today on this radio:

Keep us updated, I want to see it when your finished!!! Looking sweet already!!!

Lynn

FSM, that cabinet is coming out nicely. The radio dial is a real knock out.
Keep up the progress reports.
Jerry

Spraying the trim which is supposed to be dark brown required quite a bit of masking work


However, the radio looks far better now. From here on out, I just need to wet sand, spray more gloss clear, more wet sanding, and final polishing before assembly.

Stephen, It is looks FANTASTIC!! Your doing wonderfuly!!!!

Lynn

I LOVE these obscure upper end of the line sets ! We NEVER see any Western Air Patrol sets around the Midwest. Or, Pacific brand, or, much Gilfillan. All West coast stuff, those.

I am looking for a 25 tube Lafayette console. Made by Garod, I think.

Mark Oppat
www.oldradioparts.net

WOW~

That is turning out absolutely terrific!

Did I say - WOW~!?

BR,

Terry

Thanks! Obscure is a good word for radios such as this, much better than the over-used "rare."

It is finished. I'll post a few photos today, then more tomorrow or the next day when I have better light.

Here it is this evening with a clock lamp which seems to go well with it:


The radio was apparently made with no light for the blue shortwave band, but it did come with a wire for that light. I could find no evidence of a place to mount a blue bulb, so I used JB weld to attach a socket. I put the red light at the bottom and blue above, as that is how the bands are located on the dial:





I used some chrome paint from ACE on rust spots on top of the chassis


The bottom of the chassis


The back of the finished radio

I am standing up applauding!!!! That is one totaly awsome radio and so gorgeous is the wood and finish! You hit it out the park for a grand slam!! Congrats on a fantastic restoration!!! You should be proud of the wonderful job you have done!!!! Thanks for all the pictures and updates it was great to see it come back
to life again!!!!

Lynn

What a nice job FSM. Came out very nice. Love the dial and the cabinet.
Jerry

Thank you very much!

Here is an early afternoon photo I took a few minutes ago:

Very nice Stephen, I like it.

Mark

FSM, that really is a beauty! I can't believe they let you spray lacquer where you live. Southern Cal seems to be sensitive to anything in the air. Out here, just a couple box fans to take it outside the garage. At any rate, what a nice looking radio. Have a daughter in Anaheim Hills, next time we go out to visit, would love to see you collection.
Jerry