What Model Is This Set Please?

[Steve D.]

Originally Posted by kx250rider

Definitely a 5, and I agree based on what I can see, it's the "special" table model. That was, if I'm correct, the first color set under $500 ($499.99).

Charles

Charles,

You were 100% correct until the last number. I'm going to really nit-pick here. The "Aldrich" "Special" model retailed for $495.00. The UHF model was a bit higher. Many dealers sold them at discounted prices or offered a generous trade in for your B&W set. The profit margin was small. RCA actually lost money on every color set they made in these early years. The CTC-5 as a model run was one of the better selling color receivers in the '50's due to RCA's heavy advertising promotion of the sets and the wide choice of models in 1956-57.

-Steve D.