The Seagull is a brand of Soviet Class III reel- type tube recorders manufactured by a radio factory in the city of Velikie Luki in the 1960s. All tape recorders of this brand were relatively simple inexpensive devices, therefore they were popular with Soviet buyers.
Content
The 1956 Seagull
The first tape recorder under the brand "Chaika" was developed in 1956, from 1957 it was produced in small series on the Velikoluksky plant that was just commissioned. Information on this model is very small, the collectors preserved single instances. Design features: write erase is made by a permanent magnet ; control of the tape drive mechanism - using a lever moving in a cross - shaped backstage (a similar control was used on tape recorders of the Norwegian company Tandberg in the 50s - 70s). Because of the characteristic pen he was called in those years among the connoisseurs - “The Seagull” is a driver's.
The Seagull
Serial model, produced since 1960. Outwardly, it is very similar to the “Seagull” of 1956, but it differs markedly in the device. In another way, the controls are solved, the usual erasing head is installed, powered by an ultrasonic frequency generator. Coils No. 15 (with a diameter of 15 cm) containing 250 m of magnetic tape with a thickness of 55 μm are used. Tape drive mechanism with one asynchronous motor EDG-1M. The belt speed is 9.53 cm / s. Record double track. The frequency range on the tape type 2 [1] is 40 ... 6000 Hz, the output power is 1 W. The recording level indicator is an electro-optical (“ magic eye ”). The electronic part is assembled on three fingers and one octal lamp. Tape recorder dimensions - 340 × 270 × 180 mm, weight 12 kg. Retail price in 1961 - 85 rubles. [2]
Chaika-M
Since 1964, a slightly upgraded "Seagull" was produced. Due to the use of a new universal head, the frequency range was expanded to 40 ... 10,000 Hz, the rectifier circuit and the drive shaft assembly design were changed. Slightly changed the appearance. Chaika-M was produced until the end of 1967.
Chaika-66
Model 1966, significantly different from the previous one. Coil No. 18 (350 m of tape) could be installed on the Chaika-66, they stood for the envelope of the hull. Two speakers are installed, not one, as in the previous models. The tape drive mechanism is made according to the same kinematic scheme as the “Chaika”, but it is structurally different. It used mylar pasiki, more durable and durable than ordinary rubber. A block has been entered against the erroneous activation of the record. The frequency range on the tape type 6 - 63 ... 10000 Hz, the output power of 1 watt. Dimensions of the tape recorder - 385 × 320 × 150 mm, weight 10 kg. Retail price - 125 rubles.
The exact same tape recorder was produced from 1967 at the Bryansk Electromechanical Plant under the name "Bryansk".
In 1967, the Velikoluksky Zavod began producing the new Sonata-1 tape recorder, which is the development of the Chaika-66 design, and from that time the name Chaika was no longer used. The tape recorders of the Bryansk Works of the same type with “Sonatas” began to be called “Get Snowy” from about 1973.
Notes
- ↑ Tape produced in the USSR since 1955. Not to be confused with type II chromium dioxide tapes (IEC Type II), which appeared much later.
- ↑ Aidas, a bit more sophisticated , cost 100 rubles at that time, Astra-2 class tape recorder - 180 rubles, prestigious MG-56 Melody with reverse - 290 rubles, Yauza-10 stereo - 400 .
Literature
- Bystrov A., Ilyin V. The Seagull tape recorder. // Radio, No. 1, 1964, p. 37-38 tab
- V. Kiselev, “The Seagull-66.” // Radio, No. 10, 1967, p. 46-48 tab
- Gladyshev G.I. Tape recorders. Directory. - Kiev: Naukova Dumka, 1969
- Kurbatov N. V., Yanovsky E. B. Handbook of tape recorders. - M.: Energy, 1970