Transistor Radios Around the World

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1963/1964 Топаз-2 (Topaz-2)

Coat pocket radio, thermoplastic cabinet
6 x 3 7/16 x 1 1/2 inches / 152 x 87 x 38 mm
2-band LW/MW, seven transistors (Russian, 4x П15, 2x П402, П403), superheterodyne circuit
One standard 9-volt battery
Manufactured at Moscow Radio-TV Works, Moscow

As far as I can tell, there doesn't seem to have been a just-plain "Topaz". On the other hand, this example's paper label on the cabinet's inside back cover identifies the model simply as "Топаз" ("Topaz"). The Topaz-2 shares the same cabinet layout and nearly the same circuit as the 1963 Сокол (Sokol) (see cabinet and chassis comparison photos below), the main difference being their transistor complements.

While the Сокол is somewhat easy to find, even if usually not in good cosmetic condition, the Топаз-2 is a rarely-found radio — I've come across many examples of the Сокол on Russian and Ukrainian auction sites over the past several years, but this Топаз-2 is one of only two examples I've seen, the other one having a nondescript all-white cabinet.

A simple and beautiful cabinet design. What I love about this red-and-white example is that the red plastic is translucent — you can see it somewhat in the photos below.

Topaz 2

1963 Топаз-2 (Topaz-2)


Topaz 2

1963 Топаз-2 (Topaz-2)


Topaz 2

chassis — click on the photo for a larger image —
and note the seldom-seen white stars painted on top of the two П402 transistors:
according to transistor collector Andrew Wylie, the white star designations indicate
that transistors marked this way were originally designated for military applications.


Topaz 2 and Sokol

Topaz-2 and Сокол (Sokol) — click on the photo for a larger image


Topaz 2 and Sokol

Topaz-2 and Сокол (Sokol) chassis — click on the photo for a larger image


Topaz 2

inside back cover

Topaz 2

schematic — click on photo for a larger image

Topaz 2

front cover of 24-page booklet, dated 1964

Topaz 2

Topaz booklet, p.2

Topaz 2

Topaz booklet, p.4

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