This is a Swan 400, built around 1962. I got it from the estate of Ken Stroud AB4RQ, via my friend Tripp Owens . It was the worst of the batch, so I couldn't help but start on it, first :-) . It was missing the cabinet top, some internal parts, had a busted rotary function switch, the tube pins and sockets were oxidized, the T/R relay was toast, paint was literally falling off the front panel, the S-meter was melted and deformed, it needed recapping, and a bunch of resistors were miles out of spec. Other than that, it was great, hahahaha.
I've been tinkering on it, off and on, for months. I found another Swan collector with a spare cover, S-Meter, and a Swan 175 that needed a new home. I was able to repair the function switch, and the rest I had in the workshop. The faceplate was rough, but after I washed, compounded, and buffed it, I decided to give a try of repairing it (vs. a total repaint and relettering). I got some paint matched, touched it up with an artist's brush, relettered a few spots, and shot a coat of matte clear. It turned out pretty good... I love this old stuff, and this is another that I kept out of the land fill!
 |
