VIKING MODEL 6VBC (1934)

The Viking model 6VBC was manufactured by New Zealand Radio Manufacturing Co. Ltd in 1934.

6 valve broadcast band radio. 

Note: the 6th valve is for the oscillator, so in performance terms its likely more like a 5-valve set

Note: the chassis in this set looks very similar to the Fitzgerald console (which is likely a kitset from the Viking manufacturers, the NZ Radio Mfg Co. Ltd) 

Technical Information

Valves (6): 57, 56, 58, 2B7, 2A5, 80

Frequency Bands: 1

Chassis Notes(most schematics can be clicked to download a full size version)

Viking 6VBC

Schematic reverse-engineered by John Dodgshun, May 2022

General Construction Notes for New Zealand Radio Manufacturing Co. Ltd:

Dates are arbitrary for different Viking models displayed here, because there is little or no information on the years of each model they made.  There are some clues though.

This is the dating logic we've used for Viking sets - it may or may not be correct, but it should be close.

1933: Peephole dials were just transitioning to arc dials.  All peephole sets will be designated 1933 models

1934: Arc dials were in, and they started off with 0-100 on the dial, but soon changed to frequencies (550-1500kHz).

1935: Aeroplane dials were in vogue, so any Viking set with an aeroplane dial will be considered 1935 unless station ID's on the dial suggest otherwise.

Note that Silver Radio Ltd took over the Viking name in 1935 when Viking's parent company, The NZ Radio Manufacturing Co. Ltd, went under - there is evidence to suggest they sold Viking branded radios alongside their own Silvatone brand for a couple of years.  It appears that in this time they used Viking as a 'budget' line.  Only one has been seen at the time of writing so dating sets from this era is tricky without more information.