[R-390] R 390A Front Panel Color

[rkofler at aol.com]

When I purchased my Hammarlund SP200 BC794B, it had an off white panel. 
That paint was worn through around the knobs as if it had been used 
many hours. I refinished and relettered the panel in the traditional 
gray, but I have always wondered why it was white. I read that some of 
these radios were purchased by the news services, such as AP and UPI, 
and that some were sent to US diplomatic missions around the world. 
Whether that has anything to do with that panel color I do not know. 
The nomenclature plate was missing.

Roger K7DDG

-----Original Message-----
From: Glenn <wa4aos at aol.com>
To: r-390 <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sat, Oct 6, 2012 11:31 am
Subject: [R-390] R 390A Front Panel Color

Hi Group,


Presently, there is an R 390A on ebay with an off-white front panel. 
The seller believes it was redone, albeit, very well redone. Around 
1972, when I had my first exposure to these receivers after getting my 
Novice ticket as a teen, I remember seeing either an R 390 or A model 
with a similar front panel color but I have never seen one like it 
since. There is one on youtube that seems to be the same color but the 
author would not answer a question about the color; perhaps a language 
barrier.


So my question for the group is; does anyone know if this was ever a 
color requested under contract or made to suite a certain client, 
business or branch of a Military Service? If I had to guess, SWAG, I 
would like to believe it may have been for the US Army but this is just 
a wild guess. Any info would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.


Presently, I have over 100 units in my warehouse or mostly R 390A's and 
some 390's. 389's 391's and 392's. I have a friend who also owns over 
100 pieces and neither of us have any knowledge of this being a color 
that was used under contract.
Personally, I like this color and would consider using it for some of 
my clients if I can find lineage to an actual contract or application.


Regards,


Glenn WA4AOS
DSM Labs  (dot com)
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