Northern Electric Baby Champ Model 5002-4

This is an interesting radio that raises more questions as it answers. According the the label on the back it is a Model 5002-4 built by Northern Electric for the Westrex Corporation and designed to work on 220-250 volts. Inspection of the chassis, however suggests that this radio is a plain Model 5002 designed to work on 110-125 volts. Closer inspection of the decals on the back suggests that in fact there were originally a set of Model 5002 decals which were applied over the 5002-4 decals. The 5002 decals have worn off with time leaving the 5002-4 labels exposed.. This fits with the fact that this radio was purchased in Canada. It is interesting to speculate that Northern Electric might have had a surplus of Model 5002-4 backs and simply used them on Model 5002 examples by applying new decals.

The labels do suggest that Northern Electric manufactured the Model 5002-4 for Westrex apparently for sale in countries with 230 volts. Indeed in his book, "Radio Art" (Green Wood Publishing Company, 1991), author Robert Hawes has a photo of a three-knob rainbow broadcast/shortwave radio which he labels a "Canadian Westrex midget mains radio". That particular radio has a R8143-32 dial which does not have the Northern Electric logo. One wonders if perhaps the original purpose of the R8143-32 dial was for use in radios marketed under the Westrex label overseas. Perhaps a suplus of these dials led to their subsequent use in radios sold in Canada.

I periodically check the eBay UK site in the hopes of finding one of these Westrex rainbows.

Update: Examination the the Model 5002-2 chassis suggests that this radio probably consisted of a basic Model 5002 chassis equipped with a line resistance cord to reduce the voltage from 220 to 110 volts.

Tube Complement:

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