This is one of Pilot Radio's great "Cyclops" tombstone models
with an eye tube mounted in the center of the speaker grille
over a beautiful backlit large round dial.
The tuning knob is a 2 position knob that pulls out slightly to engage
a second gear for fine tuning.
This is the 1936 export Pilot Radio model 395F.
A domestic model G184 with the same cabinet is found in the US.
The Riders radio manuals include the model 395 and mention
in the service notes, "Model 395 is sold outside the U.S.A. Only".
The Pilot Radio export models differ by using a heavy
power transformer that accommodates different power sources,
switchable between 110 volts to 220 volts as
European power sources varied between countries.
Pilot Radio was based in Long Island City, NY and known for well-made quality radios
Pilot also began manufacturing radios in the UK with some similar and some unique models.
I was lucky to find an antique dealer in Avignon, France willing to ship this radio to the US,
and with excellent packing of this large, very heavy radio, it survived the journey with no problems.
The radio still included all its orginal RCA metal tubes it was exported with, missing one knob,
a bit of a tattered grille cloth, and a nice enough original finish to not even think about refinishing it.
I have found a half dozen different Pilot Radio cabinet designs
from 1935-1937 that include the cyclops eye tube positioning.
Like many Pilot Radios, they are hard to find and highly cherished among radio collectors.
All the way from Avignon, France with postage paid in stamps!
