German Made RCA Radios

[anden]

Looking for some history on RCA radios made in Germany. In the mid 1950s Graetz made several very nice radios for RCA.

Why did RCA have radios poduced in Germany, and what year did this start and end ? I've seen a few different models, including a large 4 speaker unit similar to the big Grundigs and Telefunkens. Also found an ad for German made radios in a U.S. magazine.

[Sandy G]

Yeah, I remember seeing one in an antiqoe/junque shop a few years back...Seems like they wanted $175 or something equally outrageous for it, so I passed. I THINK I remember foolin' w/it & it DID work on MW/BCB, but that was all I could do. The clerks at these places tend to get antsy when you start foolin' around w/their stuff...This one had that "mid-late '50s" look to it.

[jeffsod]

The one model I am aware of was the RCA 9-Int-1 which is very similar to the Graetz Melodia 519.

Read a discussion regarding the same question somewhere last year (possibly on the antique radio forums) that speculated on how it could have been that the Germans could at that time make a nicer radio for cheaper than RCA. I guess its like why so many companys outsource to China now.

Both the 9-int-1 and the Graetz Melodia 519 look similar inside. This is the inside of the Graetz-

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/jeffsod/Radios/GraetzMelodia519chassisview.jpg

[anden]

Thanks for the info & photo - I was also hoping to find out some information on the relationship between RCA and Graetz.....how long did it last ? The Graetz made RCA's are labeled "Made by Radio Fernseh Elektro for RCA".

I believe my model 67 QR 73 FM was made in 1956 and is a bit different from many of the big German sets having FM, long wave & medium wave, but no shortwave bands. It's pretty big having four speakers. They made an even larger model, the 67 QR 77 FM with five speakers (I think this one included shortwave).

Anything else known about the RCA-Graetz connection is welcome ?