A frontal view betrays little and, for that matter, so does an
inside survey. This like all other order numbers run on AC or
or batteries. Four of the five orders have a 25Z6 & 25L6 for AC use. The
line cords are fused. There's a 110/220 switch and more.
The Espey is the order # 27149 Phila 44-03 variant that's 110V-only
has NO fuses, and uses a 35Y4 rectifier & 50A5 output.
Espey built this thru 1947 & called it the Model 581. Finish was
in black crackle rather than usual OD crackle. Alan Douglas claims a
Model 581 that has all the GI markings in back. Could have been
built from remaining stock OR turned loose in '45 just that way?
The rest of the Espey is about same as diagram printed on masonite
chassis shelf in all R-100s.
However stage-gain and alignment instructions included here are AWOL
in same masonite chassis shelf.
Now note this! Consider page 365 of "History of Signal Corps in WW2, V3."
It's said there that 1/3 of the 140,000 R-100 sets were built in Europe.
Of course this must necessarily follow 6/6/44. I theorize that all
"290xx Phila-45-03 sets" were made there.
So now comes a consolidation on the known order numbers & checked-in
radios. Except for the Espey, they're 2-fuse 25L6/25Z6 110/220V examples.
All save the Majestic have white dials. The reported serial numbers are
metal-stamped unless noted.
27147 Phila 44-03 by ??? (sn 8885 &
one other)
27148 Phila 44-03 by ??? (shown in AN/TIQ-2 book, Fig. 18.
sn 15464/ink-6346
27149 Phila 44-03 by Espey (sns 17157/ink-174609&629
18053/paper-10621A)
17558-Phila-45-03 (inked out on 29064-Phila-45-03. Zenith example?
is this the R-100 "Rosetta Stone" where 1st
US-build order cancelled for Euro-built 2nd
order?)
?????-Phila-45-03 sn Z9063 (a Zenith, a Euro? - see above)
29063-Phila-45-03 Majestic (black-dial/no log scale, sn B601440)
29064-Phila-45-03 Zenith probably (sn 3609)
History of Signal Corps in WW2 V3 says European mfg. contribution of
R-100 run of 140,000 started in Europe spring '45. This may mean
there were nearly as many 'brown wren' R-100 morale radios as BC-611s!