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History of the manufacturer  

Operatic (brand), Bland Radio Pty. Ltd.: Adelaide SA

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Name: Operatic (brand), Bland Radio Pty. Ltd.: Adelaide SA    (AUS)  
Brand:
Operatic
Abbreviation: blandradio
Products: Model types
Summary:

Bland Radio Pty. Ltd.
57 Allinga Avenue, Knoxville, South Australia.
Coromandel Place, Adelaide, South Australia.
498 South Road, Edwardstown, South Australia.

Brand:   Operatic

Manufactured the Operatic brand of radio receivers, radiograms, and amplifiers.
They also manufactured transformers and radio components.
Founded: 1927
Production: 1927 - 1980
History:

William Joseph Bland (1902-     ) started Bland Radio Ltd. in 1927 after leaving the Wireless Supply Depot where he was Chief Design Engineer. [1] He also owned amateur radio station S173, later 5AG.

The company manufactured a large range of domestic receivers and supplied components for the war effort during WW2.

They are listed in the Broadcast and TV Yearbook of 1960, selling Operatic Radio-TV receivers, radiograms, amplifiers, HF Transceivers, Operatic Playmate portables and car radios.[2]

They were supplying transformers to government departments in 1976.[3]

[1] The News (SA) Dec 22, 1924, Page 9.
[2] Broadcast & TV Yearbook, 1960, Page 190.
[3] Australian Government Gazette, Feb 17, 1976, Page 46.

This manufacturer was suggested by Stuart Irwin.

Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
AUS  46 Operatic 36MA 6A8G   
AUS  45/46 Operatic 45M 6A8G   
AUS  45/46 Operatic 36M 6A8G   
AUS  39–46 Operatic 28T 1C7G  This model uses a synchronous vibrator power unit. 
AUS  50 Inverter   Synchroneous (self rectifying) vibrator inverter, mainly for shavers. Input 6 V (max. 4 Am... 
AUS  50 Operatic Carmen A1 6AN7   
AUS  47 Operatic 37MA 6SA7GT   
AUS  47 Operatic 51T EK32  This model was designed for use on 32 volt farm lighting systems. It uses a synchronous vi... 
AUS  47 Operatic 47M EK32   
AUS  47 Operatic 60E EK32   
AUS  47–50 Operatic 61RG EK32   
AUS  47–50 Operatic 62RC EK32  This model uses a Garrard changer. 
[rmxhdet-en]

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

[1] W. J.Bland Chief Design Engineer for the Wireless Supply Depot. The News (SA) Dec 22, 1924, Page 9. Image sourced from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_blandrad_1_the_news_sa_dec_22_1924_page_9.jpg
[2] Supplying Operatic Radio-TV receivers, radiograms, amplifiers, HF Transceivers, Operatic Playmate portables and car radios in 1960. Broadcast & TV yearbook, 1960, Page 190.tbn_aus_blandrad_2_bcast_tv_yearbook_1960_page_190.jpg
[3] Supplying transformers in 1976. Australian Government Gazette, Feb 17, 1976 Page 46.tbn_aus_blandrad_3_australian_government_gazette_feb_17_1976_page_46..jpg
William Joseph Bland history in 1937. Radio Trade Annual 1937, Page 303.tbn_aus_harland_3_radio_trade_annual_1937_page_303.jpg
Advert 1951tbn_aus_bland_radio_advert_1951.jpg
WJ Bland experimental transmitting license 5AG, 1923. Wireless Weekly Aug 10, 1923, page 21. Image sourced from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_blandrad_wireless_weekly_aug_10_1923_page_21.jpg
Printable reconstructed caution label used on various models from mid 40s to early 50stbn_aus_operatic_various_models_caution_label.jpg
  
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