[Collins] Earliest use of the 51J?

[C E]

Hi:
Here is my exchange with a Steve Raymer of the Museum of Broadcasting.  He asserts the 51J (J1, not J2,3,4, or the like) was used at the end of WW2.  Can anyone else verify the veracity of this information. Thanks. Cal, N6KYR/4
 


The First 50 Years, a History of Collins Radio Company and the Collins Divisions of Rockwell International, shows the 51J-1 in production from 1945 – 1948 and the 51J-2 in 1949.
 
The attached image showing the Collins product line (including the 51J-1) is from the 1946 ARRL Handbook which was printed in November of 1945.
 
Our 51J-1 is serial number  9,
The story I got from the owner was that it was used at the end of the War.
 
Steve Raymer
Museum of Broadcasting
 
 


From: Eustaquio, Cal J. [mailto:cal.eustaquio at USPTO.GOV] 
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 3:46 PM
To: 'snr at museumofbroadcasting.org'
Subject: Information on Bill Lund's Collins 51J-1 receiver
 
 
 
Hello:
I recently came across your website.  On this particular page http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.museumofbroadcasting.org/Collins51J.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.museumofbroadcasting.org/Collins51j.html&usg=__GGDk0id7V4egMw2cMNHpyKLN0bg=&h=292&w=528&sz=161&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=yNsNImSkWE34EM:&tbnh=73&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcollins%2B51j-2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
 
a portion of the description says the receiver was “Originally used by CBS to pick up Edward R. Murrow's, and other CBS war correspondents' broadcasts from Europe during WWII.”  This is incorrect.  The earliest usage of the 51-J1 was around 1949.  I do not believe this radio was made or used in WWII. You may want to correct this information. Thanks.
 
Cal J. Eustaquio
Radio Restorer, Collector, and Ham Operator N6KYR/4