View Full Version : Picked up a '71 Panasonic 9" portable color TV


drh4683
06-28-2015, 08:19 PM
I picked this set up this weekend, kind of by accident as I didn't expect to find it. It's a 1971 Panasonic CT-993, a 9" "Pana-Color". I never saw one of these before other than being listed in advertisements. It's housed in a sturdy metal cabinet with the woodgrain photofinish. It's a little boat anchor for it's size. It also had the little bag with all of the original paper work included. It works, but needs some control cleaning as they are very "touchy" right now. It still has the original tinted lens that fits over the CRT. I checked the schematic and the set is indeed 100% solid state, including the HV rectifier.

It's listed in the 1971 Panasonic catalog as the "Tifton". I'm not sure when these first came out or how long they were in production for, but it's certainly a unique set and was probably very pricey in it's day.

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03243_zpsaxzyzkcq.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03243_zpsaxzyzkcq.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03245_zpsk8ksiplp.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03245_zpsk8ksiplp.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03246_zpsdnwqouph.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03246_zpsdnwqouph.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03247_zpsxslxovem.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03247_zpsxslxovem.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03248_zpsbbwcessz.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03248_zpsbbwcessz.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03249_zpsfehk3bkb.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03249_zpsfehk3bkb.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03251_zpsuycyxw73.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03251_zpsuycyxw73.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03252_zpsgdclhyzn.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03252_zpsgdclhyzn.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03253_zps5yi2is8f.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03253_zps5yi2is8f.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03254_zpsjogxzbbw.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03254_zpsjogxzbbw.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y448/drh4683a/Television/DSC03255_zpsfll8gkuz.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/drh4683a/media/Television/DSC03255_zpsfll8gkuz.jpg.html)

Sandy G
06-28-2015, 09:07 PM
I have its "Double-1st Cousin", mine has a sick CRT.

Jon A.
06-28-2015, 09:55 PM
Nice catch, more interesting than the usual 9" Trinitron. I'm guessing that it has a low focus voltage CRT.

"Weighs only 26 pounds", ha.

bgadow
06-28-2015, 10:01 PM
A substantial looking set; a great find. I'd rather have this than any Sony, just more interesting to my eyes.

Findm-Keepm
06-28-2015, 10:12 PM
I have its "Double-1st Cousin", mine has a sick CRT.

Vacation switch = CRT heater is on all the time, unless the vacation switch is activated, turning off the CRT heater. Sole purpose was to eat CRTs, my dad would say.

Cheers,

iong
06-28-2015, 10:43 PM
Beautiful TV

Sandy G
06-28-2015, 11:14 PM
They apparently made a couple of versions of the SEVEN inch set.. The "Fancy" one shown in the little catalog, & a "Plain Jane" version. I'd LOVE to have the cheaper version. Methinks its a CT-773. If anyone has a working example, & would like to sell it, PLEASE "PM" me...

Marco-nix
06-29-2015, 07:16 AM
Nice catch anyway....congrats Doug

zeno
06-29-2015, 08:49 AM
Very nice find. I had never seen one so must have been a
very reliable set, and expensive !!

73 Zeno:smoke:

dieseljeep
06-29-2015, 09:08 AM
Very nice find. I had never seen one so must have been a
very reliable set, and expensive !!

73 Zeno:smoke:

Very well cared for! I would say 9 and 15/16 condition. :D
I think some of the real fussy posters on this forum would approve of it. :thmbsp:

jstout66
06-29-2015, 02:51 PM
NICE set!!!

rca2000
06-29-2015, 03:34 PM
DOesn't this set have a hot chassis doug? Not really sure about chassis layout...but panasonic did NOT like power transformers any better than SONY did in the early days..

MRX37
06-29-2015, 04:11 PM
Oh yeah that set screams 1970's

zeno
06-30-2015, 09:30 AM
My Sams is missing but I would guess hot chassis with a
pass regulator. Good chance its got separate hoz sweep &
HV out stages. A few early larger Panny SS sets did that.
It sure would be fun to work on a few of these, Pannys were
fun probably since they cared about servicability unlike
many Jap sets.

73 Zeno:smoke:

DOesn't this set have a hot chassis doug? Not really sure about chassis layout...but panasonic did NOT like power transformers any better than SONY did in the early days..

andy
06-30-2015, 09:45 AM
...

BigDavesTV
06-30-2015, 11:31 AM
Excellent score! Congratulations!

KentTeffeteller
06-30-2015, 04:58 PM
"Just Slightly Ahead Of Their Time" and this Panasonic classic is mint condition as they ever get. Totally beautiful and awesome. Agree with Zeno that their gear was more service technician friendly than the other Japanese makes. I love this set. And it is so pristine condition.

zenithfan1
07-12-2015, 01:48 AM
Awesome score Doug! This is the kind of stuff ive been dyin to find! Congrats!