S-38

The genealogy of the S-38 is 1935-1961. 1935? Wait just a minute! Every one knows the S-38 wasn’t manufactured until 1946! However, Hallicrafter’s idea of producing an inexpensive, introductory general- coverage receiver, began in late 1935 with the 5-T SKY BUDDY. This series was produced to1939. After Halligan acquired Echophone in 1935, he also continued to manufacture the EC & EC-1 receivers as a less expensive line to the Hallicrafters.

World War Two intervened, stopping all manufacturing except for the military. On resumption of production, after the war, Halligan wanted a new look to his products so he engaged the services of famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy. The result was a repackaged Echophone EC-1 in a new cabinet, with smooth lines and round corners and edges, plus new style knobs. This was the 1946 S-38. There were two versions of the S-38, with a major electrical change, as well as with some physical layout changes to the components on the chassis and back apron of the chassis. The standard S-38 has six tubes, a metal bottom plate, and a smooth black finish to the cabinet. At the end of the production run and just before introduction of the “A” model there were a number of S-38 sets produced with only five tubes, a cardboard bottom cover and a black wrinkle finish on the cabinet. They still had all the features of the S-38, including the variable pitch BFO, but used the “A” chassis. The dial was green.

S-38A green dial, five tubes, produced 1946-47 - smooth black cabinet.
S-38B green dial, five tubes, produced 1947-53 - black wrinkle cabinet.
S-38C black dial, five tubes, produced 1953-55 - smooth gray hammertone cabinet. This was the last of the traditional styling of the S-38.

S-38D gray slide rule dial, produced 1955-57 - smooth light gray cabinet, same five tube chassis.
S-38E black slide rule dial, produced 1957-61 with a five tube chassis using miniature tubes. Cabinets were available in gray, mahogany and beige.

The S-38B displayed is a 1947-53 model with wrinkle black cabinet.