Jack Cox took over as Editor in 1946, and 
soon recruited Gilbert Davey on to his panel of 
experts.   The partnership lasted . . . until 
Cox’s death in 1981. The Boy's Own Paper
To sit browsing the post-war editions of Boy’s Own Paper for its succession of Davey designs is a dangerously absorbing occupation, not only in discovering his radio articles, but in unfolding its wholesome if sometimes cloying world of Biggles, bicycles and Brylcreem.   Founded by the Religious Tract Society in 1879 to counter the “penny dreadfuls” of the Victorian era, the BOP continued to fly the standard of British moral rectitude and fair play through the two World Wars.   Published under the Lutterworth Press imprint from the early 1930s, it was sold to Purnell in 1963, and BPC Publishing took over for the last couple of years to February 1967.


Welcome and introduction,
contact details, disclaimer,
rights notice, BVWS link,
site map.
The man who introduced radio
construction to several generations
of boys, many of whom became radio
or communications professionals.
The history of the famous
one-valve circuit, 1948-78.
The Studio 'E' 1-valver and
the Focus Transistor radio:
downloads for these famous
designs, and lots more!
This portable receiver clearly became 
very popular, as it was published seven 
times from 1962 to 1981.
A growing resource for those who
built Davey designs years ago, or who
simply wish to know more about them.
Davey's forgotten pre-war writing for
Practical Wireless and other journals.
Downloads for seven pre-war articles.
(This page)
The Boy's Own Paper - a
complete listing of Davey's
designs and articles.
Davey's articles in the
compendium books produced 
by BOP's Editor, Jack Cox.
Davey's most well-known book,
which ran to six editions.
The other titles introduced young constructors to
every aspect of the radio and electronics hobby.
Davey sets built by contributors -
including designs that could have been
lost but for some prolonged detective work.
Two home-made coils to use in place of the all-too-scarce
commercial types, suppliers for other components, and
other sources of useful information.
Latest news, links to other sites of interest,
and news archive.
Hover your mouse over the
navigation buttons above for
brief page contents.
Pages marked  >  give access to
one or more subsidiary pages -
see also Site Map at bottom
of WELCOME page.
A wholesome outdoor life
with the chaps!
    Boy's Own Paper, July 1950, cover featuring Gilbert Davey's
    "Holiday Radio" in use.   This cover beautifully sums up the
    BOP's ethos: a wholesome outdoor life with "the chaps"!

    Site author's photo.
    Copyright © Lutterworth Press; reproduced by kind permission.

Jack Cox took over as Editor of Boy's Own Paper in 1946, and soon recruited Gilbert Davey on to his panel of experts.   The partnership lasted through the magazine’s remaining years until closure in 1967, and Cox continued to edit Davey’s books until his (Cox’s) death in 1981.

The first contribution I found under (G W) Davey's name was in the February 1948 edition.   At first, many of his articles were very brief, even lacking circuit diagrams and components lists, due to post-war paper shortages.   Interested readers had to send for full details. Later, reprints of popular designs were freely available, and the demand for them prompted publication of the first edition of Fun with Radio.   These ephemeral reprints have disappeared (unless you know differently), so the only sources for some of these post-war designs are the early editions of Fun with Radio.

In this list, all known re-publications of the early post-war BOP articles, carrying fuller information than were contained in the originals, are referenced, and these referenced entries carry the fuller information.   After the mid-1950s, Davey's BOP articles were published with complete information, but some of them were re-published elsewhere.   These are also referenced in the same way where possible.

Contents lists were often omitted during the years of paper shortages, and the page numbers in the list below assist when inspecting bound twelve-month volumes such as are kept by the British Library.   Volumes embracing twelve monthly editions ran from each October to the following September.   The British Library's bound collection conforms to this, except where a change of published size has prompted binding in two volumes.   The editions containing articles by (or items relating to) Gilbert Davey are as below.   If an edition is not mentioned, it is known not to contain anything by or relating to Davey.

Before using the list, please read the caution and usage notes on this section's introductory page.

BOP edition:   Article:
I = Incomplete information in article (readers had
to send for additional detail sheets).
Info in next column is from BOP article as printed;
Reprint info given if known.
Construction and key components:
Coils: A = aerial winding;
          MW = medium wave winding;
          LW = long wave winding;
          SW = short wave winding;
          R = reaction or reflex winding


Page:
Vol 70, 1948 Feb   Build a Crystal or One-valve Radio Set -
    See THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.


Solid basebord and front panel;
Homebrew coil (A, MW, R);
Crystal detector or HL2K.
18



Vol 71, 1948 Nov   Adding a valve to a one-valve set -



Components added to Feb 1948 set, but
no provision for speaker indicated;
PM22A; output transformer, speaker.
41



Vol 72, 1949 Oct   Radio Set Construction for Beginners -
(General theory only.)
26, 67
1949 Nov   A Simple Three-valve Radio Set -
I - circuit but no component values.
    See YOUR DAVEY SETS page for
     download with full details of a reconstructed set.

Metal chassis;
Wearite PA2 (A, MW); PHF2 (as inter-stage);
W21, HL2, PM22A;
output transformer, speaker.
22




1949 Dec   All-mains Two-valve Receiver (1) -
I - circuit but no component values.
    Info opposite marked * kindly offered by
    Hugh Castellan.



Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Metal chassis and plywood front panel;
Wearite PA2 (A, MW) and PA1 (LW - optional);
6J5G* or 6J5GT*, 6V6G or 6V6GT*, 5Z4G*;
LF choke (min 10H, 80mA)*;
output transformer, speaker, mains transformer.
52






1950 Jan   All-mains Two-valve Receiver (2) -
    Adding a wave trap:

Homebrew wave-trap coil.
49


1950 Mar   A high-fidelity amplifier -
    Reasonably complete info, but components list
    with prices was available on application.
    Revised reprint in Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957.


Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Metal inverted tray chassis; LF choke,
Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 6.3v, 5v;
EF50, 6V6, 5Z4;
output transformer, speaker.
46





1950 Jul   Make this Holiday Radio Set -
I - no circuit, component values or layout diagram.
    See YOUR DAVEY SETS page for
     download with full details of a reconstructed set.
Plywood front panel and sub-panel, boxed in;
Homebrew RF and interstage coils;
W21, HL2K, PM22A;
output transformer, speaker.
46




Vol 74, 1952 Mar   A Portable Cycle Radio -
I- no circuit, component values or layout diagram.
    See YOUR DAVEY SETS page.
    Reprinted in Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957.
See Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957.




48




Vol 75, 1952 Oct   Make this All Wave Radio Receiver -
I- no circuit, component values or layout diagram.
    Reprinted in Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957.
See Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957, Ch 14.



30



Vol 76, 1954 Jul   Build this Midget A.C. Mains Two-valve Set -
I - no circuit, component values or layout diagram.
    Reprinted in Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957.
Note: non-isolated power supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
See Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957.


45



Vol 78, 1955 Dec   Bedside radio -
I - no circuit, component values or layout diagram.
    Revised reprint in Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957
    (This design, and the revised reprint in Fun with Radio,
    are stated to be an updated version of a popular "Camper's
    Receiver" designed in 1950, using the same valve line-up of
    W21, W21, PM22A.   I have been unable to trace such a
    design; perhaps Davey is referring to the 1950 Holiday Radio,
    which used W21, HL2K, PM22A.)
See Fun with Radio, 1st edition, 1957.









73









  Complete construction details appear in BOP articles from now on.   Reprint information is still given below where known.
Vol 79, 1957 Jan   Make a Cold Valve Set [transistor radio] -



Square plywood panel;
Teletron HAX (A, MW, & coupled winding to detector);
OA60 or GEX34, OC70; phones.
50



Vol 80, 1957 Oct   Transistors will Boost Home Radio Sets -
    2-transistor set:






Front end on plywood panel;
amplifier stage on 12-way tagboard;
Teletron HAX (A, MW, & coupled winding to detector);
OA60, OC70, OC71;
Earphone (low res) or output transformer and speaker.
44, 51






1957 Dec   Hobbies for the Modern Boy -
    Unattributed article, probably by Jack Cox,
    with note on Gilbert Davey's popularity.
-



39



Vol 83, 1961 Jan   Fun with Radio (1) Make a Tuning Coil and Crystal Set -
    Coil used for designs in April and June editions:
    Crystal set:
    See CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES page
    for full download of the article describing this coil.

Homebrew coil (A, MW, LW, R).
Circuit for crystal set given (shows 500μF tuning capacitor!),
but practical details deferred to April edition.


36





1961 Apr   Fun with Radio (2) Make a transistor receiver -
    Crystal set:
    (errors in Jan 1961 article corrected)


    2-transistor set:
    Note: Values of R2 and R4 should be reversed, i.e.
    R2 should be 22kΩ, and R4 should be 220kΩ.


Solid wood baseboard and ply front panel;
Homebrew coil from BOP Jan 1961 (A, MW, LW, R) -
reaction winding as alternative aerial winding;
germanium diode; headphones.
Similar baseboard and panel, with aperture for speaker if used;
Coil and diode as above, plus:
2 x OC71 or XB104; phones or output transformer and speaker.
44








1961 Jun   Fun with Radio (3) Make a One-valve Receiver -
    See THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.
    Two errors in circuit diagram; for correction, see
    Davey coil download on CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES page.
    Reprinted (together with coil design details from January edition)
    in The Boy’s Own Companion No 4, 1962,
    unfortunately with same erors as above.
Metal chassis, one flange as front panel;
Homebrew coil from BOP Jan 1961;
1T4 (or DF91, DF92, DF96).





61







    A fourth article in the BOP "Fun with Radio" series was promised for a two-valve receiver using the same coil, but appears never to have been published.
Vol 85, 1962 Oct   "Gift supplement" compiled by Davey, including -
    How to make a Portable Pocket Transistor Set (regen/reflex design):
    Reprinted in The Boy’s Own Companion No 5, 1963.


    2-inch homebrew coil (BOP Jan 1961) details reprinted.
    Kits discussed.

Plywood or hardboard panel, 4-way tagstrip, plastic case;
Homebrew coil, (MW tapped, R,) on ferrite; RF choke;
OC44 or OC45, OC71, OC72, 2 germ. diodes;
Earpiece, high res.



Centre-
stapled






    The April 1963 edition is the last marked "© Lutterworth Press"; The May edition is marked "© Purnell & Sons Ltd".   The change of ownership may explain the discontinuity in the British Library collection as noted below.
Vol 86, 1963 Nov   BOP Crystal Super - How to make it for 19/- [95p] -
    Includes "Lady Jayne" hair clip heat sink idea
    (see GILBERT DAVEY page).
    Reprinted in Boy's Own Annual edition published 1964.
Paxolin or plywood panel; 2 x 4-way tag strips;
Homebrew coil (MW tapped) on ferrite;
OA81, OC72; crystal earpiece.


20




1963 Dec   The BOP Twin Transistor Receiver (regen/reflex design) -
    "Gift supplement" blueprint and text
    Reprinted in:
    Fun with Transistors, 1st edition 1964, speaker stage in next chapter;
    Fun with Transistors, 2nd edition 1971;
    Fun with Radio, 6th edition 1978;
    Fun with Silicon Chips in Modern Radio, 1981.
Missing from British Library collection.
Paxolin panel and plastic case;
Homebrew coil, (MW tapped, R,) on ferrite, and RF choke;
OC44, OC71, 2 x OA81; crystal earpiece






Centre-
stapled







1964 Jan   Missing from British Library collection.   Checked by purchase.
-
-
1964 Feb   Missing from British Library collection.   Checked by Hugh Castellan.
-
-
1964 Mar   Missing from British Library collection.   Checked by Hugh Castellan.
-
-
1964 Apr   Build an Electronic Guitar for 65/- (£3.25) -
    "Gift supplement" blueprint and text.
    Reprinted in Boy’s Own Annual edition published 1966.
Missing from British Library collection.
Paxolin panel, 5-way tagstrip, built into guitar;
High res. headphone adapted as transducer;
2 x OC71, 2 x OC72 (matched push-pull);
Driver and output transformers, speaker
Centre-
stapled



    This discontinuity in the British Library collection is perhaps due to repercussions of Purnell's takeover.   The May 1964 edition is present, and was checked.   The June edition, previously missing, is now present and bound-in, and has also been checked.
Vol 87, 1965 Feb   And now the BOP Ether Ranger (1) -
    1-valve short-wave receiver:
    Reprinted in Boy's Own Annual edition published 1965.



Wood/hardboard chassis & front panel, foil covered;
Denco Maxi-Q plug-in coils (A, R, and tuned);
EF80 (lantern battery for 6v LT); headphones.
22




1965 May   BOP Ether Ranger (2) -
    Addition of 2-transistor amplifier:




Hardboard or paxolin panel fixed under chassis;
2 x OC71 or OC71, OC72 (for speaker);
Phones or output transformer and speaker.
22




Vol 88, 1966 Jan   BOP Ether Ranger (3) -
    Upgrade to 3-valve mains set, commencement:
    (Transistor amp removed.)






Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Chassis & front panel as Feb 1965 BOP;
Coils as Feb 1965 BOP;
EF80, EL41 or EL84, EZ80;
Mains transformer;
output transformer and speaker (housed separately).
34







1966 Feb   BOP Ether Ranger (4) -
    Upgrade to 3-valve mains set, conclusion.
See above.


34


1966 May   Radio round-up -
    Includes Sinclair Micro FM and Z12 amplifier,
    and Goodmans Twin Axiette loudspeaker.
(No constructional article.)



11



1966 Jul   BOP Pegasus (1) -
    3-transistor short wave superhet + diode detector:
    Reprinted with article 2 (BOP Oct 1966) in Boy’s Own Annual
    edition published 1967 (numbered 4, 1968).




Aluminium chassis, plywood front panel;
Repanco coils XSA34 (A), XOS36 (osc);
Repanco IFTs XT27, 2 x XT26;
OC170, 2 x OC45, OA81;
Crystal earpiece or headphones.
10






1966 Aug   Stern reply to reader asking about short wave transmitter
-
48
Vol 89, 1966 Oct   BOP Pegasus (2) -
    Adding a Wavechange:
    Reprinted with article 1 (BOP July 1966) in Boy’s Own Annual
    edition published 1967 (numbered 4, 1968).
    A third article was promised detailing a
    transistor amplifier, but never appeared.

Add Repanco coils XTA31, XOT33, XSA37;
Rotary wafer switch 2 x 3-pole 3-way.




30






1967 Feb   Last edition.
Missing from British Library collection.   Checked by purchase.
- -

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With the two remaining gaps in the above list for BOP filled in with information from Hugh Castellan, it is now believed to be complete.