RCA CT-100 -- CTC2 chassis B8000194

Screen shot of 1944 Technicolor (3-strip) movie 'Cover Girl' displayed on a 1954 RCA CT-100, the first production color television set. Only the flavor of the wide-gamut color display provided by the direct-view 15GP22 tricolor picture tube used in the CT-100 is possible. Too many variables between the image on the 15GP22 and the display you are viewing.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• CT-100
• CTC2

[tricolorCRT]

While I am not familiar with Lexel Imaging, I do know that Hawkeye shut down operations in 2010 and donated its tube-rebuilding equipment to the Early Television Museum in Ohio. The only 15GP22 to be successfully rebuilt in at least 40 years is on operational display at the museum. This rebuild was accomplished in 2010 by RACS in France.

Pete

[tricolorCRT]

Yeah, I didn't like it either, but had to download a 'freebe' program needed to upload this, my one, YouTube entry.

Mark: I have been assembling a list of surviving CT-100 sets for twelve years now and have 139 of the aporox 4000 made by RCA in Bloomington IN during the spring and summer of 1954. I would like to confirm your set and add it to the list if you wish to. The CTC2 chassis serial number of your CT-100 would be greatly appreciated if you wish to share it..

Regards,

Pete

[julianblonde]

What's to watch here?? You can't look at it to enjoy it because of the spam in the picture.

[atlantic1952]

God that is really beautiful, just wonderful colors..what a privelige for us to see such early color TV working. That tube is stunning! Thanks for posting..

[douro20]

There are so many of these out of service simply because the 15GP22 picture tubes are dead. There are only two companies I know of in the US which can fix these: Lexel Imaging in Lexington, KY and Hawkeye Picture Tube Co. in Des Moines, IA. I would recommend looking at Lexel first because of their reputation providing replacement and remanufactured CRTs to the military.

[seatboi]

WHAT a GORGEOUS SET!! I restore these for a living & you, Sir have one FINE example of an EARLY color TV! Congratulations! ;) PS if u ever need any knobs, tubes or parts, let me know...I have tons!

[Superskunk1954]

@tricolorCRT

Yes, thank you, I did forward that to you; I believe it is 696.

Will you by chance be in Hilliard at the end of April? I had the opportunity to acquire a CTC-2B from the ETF, a set I am actually more familiar with.

I have many questions regarding the CT-100. I am preserving, not really restoring it, as I have never been a big fan of altering anything that does not absolutely require it. This is a slow process as I’m sure you know.

Regards,

Mark

[Superskunk1954]

It would be wonderful if you could post without the displayed text. I understand the cause, I've been there.

Regardless, thank you for the post. I am restoring a CT-100 at this time and it is encouraging to see what the possibilities are.

Regards, Mark

[peugteobike]

I have alwys wanted a merrill set I saw one in an old tv shop with it's original price tag onand still in great shape