1942 Radios

Many of these radios were listed in the Fall-Winter 1941-42 catalog. They would have been the new 1942 models, introduced in the fall just like cars. Of course, with the war starting in December, 1941, it's hard to say how many of these radios were produced.

Radios marked 1942 came from a generic catalog simply marked 1942, without a Spring-Summer or Fall-Winter designation. However, the catalog does mention wartime rationing, war bonds, etc. Therefore, this catalog had to have come out sometime in 1942, it certainly is not a Fall-Winter 1941/1942 catalog (I have one of those). So, these radios are simply attributed to 1942, but I'm not sure when they were introduced, or how long they were produced before domestic radio production was halted.

7393-1 "The Sonata"

The Sonata is a rather unremarkable seven tube console. It featured a ten inch speaker, radio/phone combo, and retailed for $109.95.

7397-1 "The Vagabond"

A small portable, the Vagabond was advertised as being "Ideal for soldiers at camps", another indication that these radios were being sold when the US was already at war. An AC, DC, or battery set, it retailed for $19.95.

7397-9 "The Intercepter"

This was a high-end table model, with a 7-tube compliment, several bands, and pushbuttons. The price of $47.95 reflected the quality of this radio! This may have been the first Firestone radio to offer the FM band. This radio was also produced post war - it is pictured in the 1947 catalog as well.

7402-8/S-7402-8 "The Melodia"

An interesting radio, almost surely made by Stewart Warner (I've seen a similar radio with the SW name on it). If I'm not mistaken, the grille on this radio is tenite, a plastic which shrinks over time. It's likely that few survived in pristine condition. This does not appear to be a very common radio. Ad states 7402-8, but also seen as S-7402-8.

S-7397-1 "The Vagabond"

A very small, light, portable radio. Sold in maroon plastic with a leatherette covering. The Vagabond was carried over from 1941.

S-7397-2 "The Roamer"

The Roamer was a six tube portable that offered a 200 hour estimated battery life. Carried over from 1941.

S-7398-1 "The Beaumont"

This is a stunning little 6-tube AC/DC set with a Stewart Warner manufactured cabinet. The front of the cabinet features strips of burl photofinish on the top and bottom edges -- be careful if you refinish one of these radios! It is very easy to ruin the photofinish. This is a popular radio which tends to bring high prices when they are available.

S-7398-2 "The Olympic"

I believe this radio to have an Ingraham cabinet, but have no way of know for sure. It is a very interesting design, and they look quite stunning in person. I have two of these, neither of which I've gotten around to restoring. They don't seem to be nearly as common as some of the other Firestone's from this year -- perhaps buyers weren't attracted to the simple, boxy case?

S-7398-3 "The Cosmopolitan"

This radio sports a very interesting design. The case has a large dial and combines multiple kinds of veneers, at angles to each other. However, this radio does use a photo-finish on the grille area, so do not attempt to refinish one of these without using caution!

S-7398-6/S-7398-5 "The Aristocrat"

I hate to say it, but I find this radio to be quite ugly. Even though I specialize in Firestone radios, this is one that may never end up in my collection. I'm not sure what I find un-appealing about it, probalby the columns on the side. It did come in both mahogany and walnut, so you could pick your finish of choice.

S-7398-8 "The Pan American"

This is an interesting puzzle of a radio. It appears to have been made under at least three model numbers. Notice how in Fall/Winter 1941-42, it is known as the "Pan American". In the 1942 catalog it has become "The Intercepter". This radio was also produced post-war. There is also a Stewart Warner version of this radio, so I belive it is an SW design. This is a top of the line table radio, with 7 tubes, three bands, spread tuning, electric pushbuttons, large speaker, and fm-tv attachment. Quite a radio!

S-7399-1 "The Wellington"

A six-tube entry level console.

S-7399-2 "The Cavalcade"

A ten tube console with spread-band tuning, 12 inch speaker, and many other features for only $69.95!

S-7400-2 "The Beverly"

Here is distinguished, rich beauty in the best tradition of design. With ad copy like that, how could you go wrong? 9 tubes, three bands, 12 inch speaker radio-phono.

S-7400-3 "The Chippendale"

A higher end, 11 tube console radio/phono. A large, decorative cabinet.

S-7400-4/S-7400-5 "The Georgian"

This was the highest end console offered this year. It featured 13 tubes, dual speakers, and a Capehart-Farnsworth record player. Created in the Chippendale/Hepplewhite design style, the cabinet came in either Walnut (S-7400-5) or Mahogany (S-7400-4). Truly an ubelievable radio.

S-7400-6 "The Pickwick"

A really unique looking radio-phono combination, the Pickwick was a 7-tube multi-band console. I've never seen one of these in person, they can't be common.

S-7402-5 "The Commentator"

Another 5-tube bakelite set, this set offered a slightly larger speaker than the Mercury, but alost cost $3 more. These radios seem to come up for sale on e-Bay fairly often, and they are not unreasonably priced. This set does not seem to have come in any color other than white.

S-7402-7 "The Mercury"

This is a cute, entry level bakelite set. The tiny cabinet includes a 5 tube chassis, with 4.5" speaker. The radio retailed for $9.95. These seem to be slightly uncommon, harder to find radios. Is it possible that many buyers passed this set by for the higher priced Firestones?

S-7403-2 "The Diplomat"

The Diplomat is a 6-tube bakelite set with a fancy cabinet. The dial on these radios is red, providing an interesting contrast with the white cabinet. Many people are now repainting these radios in a variety of colors, and sometimes painting the grille in a second color for contrast. To my knowledge, the Diplomat only came in white. It was not even offered in plain brown bakelite. The Spring-Summer 1941 catalog picture lacks a Firestone Air Chief decal on the front of the radio. The Fall-Winter 1941-42 catalog shows the radio with a decal. There may have been two versions. A radio without a decal may (or may not) have been repainted.

S-7405-6 "The Greenwood"

A 5 tube battery operated console. A nice walnut cabinet with large dial.

S-7405-8 "The Brookside"

A small, four tube battery powered set with advertised 1,000 battery life. Airplane dial and six inch speaker. Not common.

S-7405-9 "The Glenmount"

A 5 tube battery radio. Nice looking cabinet!

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