MCR1 'Biscuit Tin' Radio Receiver

Made:: 1943 in United Kingdom

maker:: British Broadcasting Corporation and Philco Corporation

'Biscuit Tin' radio, British Government Miniature

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'Biscuit Tin' radio, British Government Miniature
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

'Biscuit Tin' radio, British Government Miniature Communications Receiver, Mark 1 (MCR1), 1943. Box containing two receivers, two PSU and two extra tuning coil units. Came from BBC receiver section, Balham. System covers 150KHz to 15MHz in 4 bands (4 x different plug-in coil units). Mains/battery. Headphones out.

During World War II, these compact radios were dropped by a parachute hidden inside the biscuit tins. They were crucial to resistance fighters in Europe because the Germans had confiscated all normal civilian radios. BBC London's public broadcasts were used to communicate with resistance groups by using obscure "personal messages" which had secret meanings.

The receiver was developed in 1943, and by 1945, 30,000 of them had been made. After the war, they became a collector’s item due to their rarity.

Details

Category:: Television

Collection:: BBC Heritage Collection

Object Number:: 2012-5118/151

Materials:: steel (metal), paint, plastic (unidentified), rubber (unidentified) and electrical component

Measurements:: overall: 3.08 kg
overall (Unit): 85 mm x 210 mm x 60 mm,
overall (Mains): 60 mm x 210 mm x 95 mm,

type:: radio receiver

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Parts

Receiver and tuning coil unit for 'Biscuit Tin' radio

MCR1 'Biscuit Tin' Radio Receiver and Tuning Coil Unit

Receiver and tuning coil unit for 'Biscuit Tin' radio, British Government Miniature Communications Receiver, Mark 1 (MCR1), 1943.

During World War II, these compact radios were dropped by parachute hidden inside the biscuit tins. They were crucial to resistance fighters in Europe because the Germans had confiscated all normal civilian radios. BBC London's public broadcasts were used to communicate with resistance groups by using obscure "personal messages" which had secret meanings.