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History of the manufacturer  

RAP (R.A.P.) Ltd., Radio Acoustic Products; Thames Ditton, Surrey

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Name: RAP (R.A.P.) Ltd., Radio Acoustic Products; Thames Ditton, Surrey    (GB)  
Abbreviation: rap
Products: Model types
Summary:

R.A.P. Ltd.
24 Thames Street, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey
Ferry Works, Summer Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey (1935)

RAP Radio.
81 London Road, Croydon (1951)

Manufactured radios from a large custom factory unit called Ferry Works in Surrey countryside circa 1935. Later models featured plate glass backs and chromed parts on the chassis as well as modular chassis in the cabinet until circa 1948.
The Ferry Works factory was the manufacturing address of Rola Celestion Ltd. from 1948.

In the early 1950s, the radio rental firm RAP Radio, an offshoot of the radio manufacturer R.A.P. Ltd. was trading from shop premises at number 81 London Road, Croydon. 

Founded: 1935
Closed: 1954
Production: - 1954
History:

Two of their radios were mentioned in Wireless World Aug 1935;

R.A.P. (Stand 106)

Among the receivers shown on this stand the Transatlantic model is worthy of attention. A heptode frequency changer is used with a band-pass pre-selector and one IF stage operating at a frequency of 117.5 kc/s. AVC is fitted and the set is of the all-wave type, having tuning ranges of 19.5/52, 200 /550, and I,000/ 2,000 metres It is an AC set, but an AC DC model is available. The price is 12 guineas.

The Continental receiver is listed at 9 guineas and covers the medium and long wavebands. An intermediate frequency of 473 kc/s is used and the power output is 3·5 watts. There is, in addition, a range of battery superheterodynes. [1]

R.A.P. was registered as the general trademark of R.A.P. Ltd. in 1936.[2]

 

In the early 1950s, the radio rental firm R A P Radio, an offshoot of the radio manufacturer R.A.P. Ltd. was trading from shop premises at number 81 London Road, Croydon.

By mid-October 1951, 81 London Road was serving as both the company's head office and its South London sales and servicing department.

Benefits advertised to rental customers included a “splendid range of models” with “no big cash expenditure” and “no repair bills”. Installation, repairs, and replacement “valves and everything” were all free.

Despite all this, the company only traded for about two years in Croydon, leaving the London Road shop sometime in 1954 when it may have ceased trading altogether.[3]

[1] Wireless World Aug 16, 1935, Page 185.
[2] Broadcaster Annual 1936, Page 199.
[3] The Past and Present of Croydon's London Road, website, accessed June 2023.

 

This manufacturer was suggested by Konrad Birkner † 12.08.2014.


Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
GB  35 International Type 3   Somewhere is a Derwent International Five incorrect listed as a RAP International, but ... 
GB  99 Doublette ID = 234809    
GB  99 Dublette ID = 234756    
GB  99 Dublette ID=234787    
GB  47 300R   There is a RAP model in the same case for AC/DC.  
GB  35 Continental 6A7   
GB  46 646 [All versions] 6K7G  Radio with modular chassis with 3 SW bands. Chassis Modules RF1 (6K8G) OR R... 
GB  99 Doublette ID =103791    
GB  39 Unknown AC/DC 6A8  The AC only Model in same style is a 300R  
GB  39 Transatlantic Type 2 unknown_Tube  RAP Transatlantic; The Type 3 is similar but with smaller paler scale. One SW b... 
GB  36 Transatlantic Type 1 6A7   
GB  47 161 6K8G  Similar appearance to the RAP 646, the superfically similar Transatlantic Type 1 has on... 

[rmxhdet-en]

Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):

Practical Wireless, Oct. 1958, page 652, RAP "ceased business in 1947.--ED.".tbn_gb_raf_transatlantic_1958_info.jpg
Advertisement for R A P Radio Croydon Times 13 Oct 1951,(Picture courtesy of "London-road-croydon.org"tbn_rap_rentaladvert1951.jpg
World Radio Apr 19, 1935, Page 25.tbn_gb_rap_world_radio_apr_19_1935_page_25.jpg
[1] Wireless World Aug 16, 1935, Page 185.tbn_gb_rap_1_wireless_world_aug_16_1935_page_185.jpg
Broadcaster & Wireless Retailer Apr 20, 1935, Page 28tbn_gb_rap_broadcaster_wireless_retailer_apr_20_1935_page_28.jpg

  

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