Northern Electric Baby Champ Model 5002-2

This model was built by Northern Electric for sale in South Africa and possibly other countries. It was designed to operate on 220-250 volts. The chassis is basically a Model 5002 chassis fitted with a resistive line cord designed to bring the voltage down to the 120 volts required. Of interest is the fact that this model was built for both Aeroquipment and Airotone. The Model 5002-2 appears to have been manufactured only in brown bakelite and ivory cabinets.

In addition some of these radios appear to have been fitted with a cardboard dial insert printed with South African broadcasting stations. It is not know whether this dial insert was used on the Aeroquipment, Airotone models or perhaps a third type of Model 5002-2.

Whether or not the Model 5002-2 differed from Model 5002-4 other than being manufactured for a different company is unknown.

I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Eric van Staveren of Valkenburg, The Netherlands, for bringing this model to my attention. The information provided on this page is derived from examples in his collection. His patience in answering my numerous questions is very much appreciated.

Tube Complement:

1. 12SA7: Converter
2. 12SK7: IF Amplifier
3. 12SQ7: 2nd Detector, AVC, 1st Audio Amplifier
4. 35L6GT: Output Amplifier
5. 35Z5GT: Rectifier

1. The airplane pointer are used, but the dial was modified in several ways.

2. A three-hole rainbow cabinet is used..

3. The right hole accommodates the tuning knob..

4. A middle hole accommodates the band selector

5. The left hole accommodates the on/off switch and volume control.

1.Dials used were of two main types: The R8143-32 dial was utilized in the Aeroquipment 5002-2 while the unnumbered Airotone dial was used in the Airotone 5002-2. In addition a cardboard dial insert with South African broadcasting stations was used in some models.

2. Speakers are found in two shapes: round and rounded square. Both speaker shapes are stamped with manufacturer's part No. R12791.

3. The back is attached to the chassis by four slot or 4 Robertson screws.

4. The chassis used in the Model 5002-2 examples was of two types. One chassis type possessed a metal plate on the back which was placed between the IF transformers and the back fiberboard. This plate can be seen between the spaces of the back fiberboard on the Model 5002-2 Airotone back scan below. The other chassis type did not feature this metal plate as seen on the Model 5002-2 Aeroquipment back scan below. These type chassis types were also seen in the Model 5002.

5. The 5002-2 Airotone labels appear to have been stuck over original 5002-2 Aeroquipment labels as shown below.

Station Abbreviations: