BTW the color for the citation II transformers varied depending on the manufacturer source since they finished the transformers when they made them for HK. Contrary to popular belief, there were three manufacturers...Freed,Chicago Standard(Stancor) and Magnetics Windings Inc.). Freed was the first therefore the part number stars with FT. When Freed first supplied the transformers, they were very close in color to the chassis' charcoal brown. As we began using the better performing transformers from the other two companies, they shifted to a more"reddish color".
They had lower leakage inductance and the distributed capacity figures were improved. They also were more consistent from transformer to transformer. The exit hole for the transformer wires were better protected from abrasion and B+ arc overs. .Freed just had an unprotected hole for the wires whereas the other two manufacturers had the metal hole protected with a brass grommet or a fiber glass sleeve extending beyond the hole. If my memory serves me right ,Chicago Standard used the brass Grommet and Magnetic Windings,Inc. used the fiberglass sleeve. Freed was a common vendor resource to HK for many other transformer needs including power, output and chokes. Freed turned out quality products especially for the military and commercial market and of course they were local to us in Brooklyn, NY.
I think a lot of people are fascinated about the inner workings of HK at the time.
Thanks for posting! It's nice to hear from people that were in the industry in its heyday
Large meter Citation II's were 1959 vintage and also had less ventilation holes in the chassis. They were likely all Freed transformers. I believe by the time we approved them,we didn't use the better transformers until late 1960.
