Philips

Philips "Super Quintet" Model 172

These radio's are perhaps my favourite Philips cabinet design. Based on a European design, the B2G81U, as most Australian Philips sets were, it came in a series of colours.

The B2G81U was only available in a black cabinet with an off white spray painted front. It was a two band MW and LW set that ensued the mains transformer for a large dropping resistor.

The one problem with the Australian version is the permeability tuning. This was the only Philips set (excluding car radios of course) with this type of tuning, and was dropped in the following model. The MM1 replacement continued essentially the same design from the earlier 138.

Valve line-up is 6AN7, 6BH5, 6BD7, 6M5, and 6X4. It has a Rola 5" speaker;.

I currently have four grey and white ones, and a red one that actually looks brown. One of the grey ones is branded Fleetwood, and has a green dial, but is otherwise identical. A recent addition is the Coral one below.

There is a series of videos on the restoration of these radio's.

Sturdy compression moulded one-piece cabinet. Five powerful Miniwatt valves for Australia-wide reception with ample reserve power for difficult conditions. Built-in aerial for convenience, plus provision for external aerial if required. Continuously variable tone control for smooth shading of bass or treble. High quality 5-inch speaker. Large round dial has full circle tuning and all States dial scale clearly marked. Pick-up terminals with separate radio-gramo switch enables permanent record player connections. Choice of six decorator colour combinations: grey, carmen red, coral, primrose and charcoal, all with arctic fronts and arctic with charcoal fronts. (FROM MINGAY'S PRICE SERVICE)

Unrestored Coral coloured set obtained at the Melbourne Radiofest September 2023

This is the Carmine Red 172 obtained from Bendigo. Resoration complete, final video on Carmine Red 172 is scheduled.

This video explores the completion of the Carmen Red radio.

Page last updated: 22 September 2023