TRANSISTOR RADIO DESIGN

This Three Stars TN-201 Boys Radio was manufactured in Japan circa 1959. I am unsure who the manufacturer was. I have also seen this radio branded as Mello-Tone, Honey Tone, GMK and **** (Four Stars). I wouldn't be surprised if there was one branded as Five Stars out there somewhere as well!

This Three Stars Boys Radio features a slick black and gold under-painted tuning dial and a white red and black under-painted face. That odd looking ‘M’ with the arrow through it is a bit of a mystery, perhaps it stands for ‘mid wave’? The cabinet of this radio is interesting in that it curves around the tuning dial following its outline. There is also a hint of tartan in the perforated metal speaker grill.

When I look at this radio I see a golden phoenix rising from the fiery depths of Hades!  I see the golden tail feathers on the tuning dial as symbolic of a phoenix and I see a nasty devils pitchfork hidden in the ‘M’ with the arrow!

Perhaps I should see a shrink? Probably!

This Three Stars Boys Radio comes with a removable aerial, earphones, and a genuine vinyl case! It is also complete with its original gift box featuring groovy graphics. The print on the box states ‘ALL Transistor! This is a two transistor radio but the name ‘Three Stars’ alludes to it having three transistors…

It is not a good idea to store these radios anywhere near their old vinyl cases as the vinyl reacts with the plastic cabinet of the radio causing melt marks.

This Three Stars Boys Radio uses two Hitachi transistors.