View Full Version : Finally added a "porthole" TV


decojoe67
06-20-2015, 06:05 PM
This is about the smallest early "porthole" TV you can get. A 1948 Airline 94GSE-3015A 7" portable. It has the unusual "Telephoto" zoom button front/top. A friend had this one stashed away for decades and finally pulled it out and got it working flawlessly. It has it's share of patina, but I had to have it! BTW, the mask is actually flocked.
http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m554/decojoe67/DSC00484_zpsch4mtwoc.jpg (http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/decojoe67/media/DSC00484_zpsch4mtwoc.jpg.html)

Paul Knaack
06-20-2015, 06:11 PM
Congrats, very cool.http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/images/smilies/beerchug.gif

Username1
06-20-2015, 06:22 PM
cool lookin little puppy................

.

bandersen
06-20-2015, 06:49 PM
Very cool! I have the "boring" version.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2831/11146072696_f3a7fca69e_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/hYWx6b)

decojoe67
06-20-2015, 07:06 PM
Very cool! I have the "boring" version.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2831/11146072696_f3a7fca69e_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/hYWx6b)
That's still a nice model too Bob. I had the Sentinel version years ago and wanted to get something different this time. I just realized that the little medallion has the "M-W" letters on it for Montgomery Ward department stores. One thing that's surprising about these vertical sets is that they're excellent performers.
Thanks all for the comments.

Sandy G
06-20-2015, 07:24 PM
I sure would love to have one.. You gotta wonder how many of these things are STILL lurkin' around in closets, attics, basements, nobody actually checking to see what they are..

decojoe67
06-20-2015, 08:25 PM
I sure would love to have one.. You gotta wonder how many of these things are STILL lurkin' around in closets, attics, basements, nobody actually checking to see what they are..
I know collectors that are still finding early TV's at estate sales. A tremendous number of radios and TV's were manufactured between the 1920's and 1950's that it's not surprising, but it will dwindle down. Fortunately collectors are trying to save everything and anything these days.

Boobtubeman
06-21-2015, 08:40 PM
Very cool! I have the "boring" version.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2831/11146072696_f3a7fca69e_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/hYWx6b)

Had one of those slip through my fingers.... Would love to get one someday, got an Airline radio with the same cabinet finish to team it up with...

First, i need to get caught up with moving expenses from last month...

SR

decojoe67
06-21-2015, 10:06 PM
Had one of those slip through my fingers.... Would love to get one someday, got an Airline radio with the same cabinet finish to team it up with...

First, i need to get caught up with moving expenses from last month...

SR
I am learning that Airline TV's are rather uncommon. I'm not finding many other examples on the Net, particularly the porthole version.

Boobtubeman
06-23-2015, 12:08 AM
Yeah, i like the sentinel styles as well of this tv... Eventually, one will pop up.. Meanwhile, i still need to get unpacked and hope to be able to resume the hobby...

SR

decojoe67
06-23-2015, 05:04 AM
Yeah, i like the sentinel styles as well of this tv... Eventually, one will pop up.. Meanwhile, i still need to get unpacked and hope to be able to resume the hobby...

SR
The Sentinel versions used to be fairly common years ago, but even they don't turn-up too often these days. One of my favorites is the Firestone version, but I don't recall ever seeing one come-up for sale. I like the front plate and the "double-D" masking on that one:
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1948-Firestone-13G33-Portable-USA.JPG