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Rola 22 Mk II Tape Recorder

In the early version of the manual for the 66 Mk II tape recorder there is a list of other MK II Series products and at the top of that list is the "Model 22, Lightweight Portable Magnetic Tape Recorder". I have never seen one of these either in an advertisement or the actual equipment. Allan Rowlands, worked for Max Byer and continued with the company when Rola bought the Dorcas Street operation, he has provided me with historical information about the company but does not remember a Model 22.

In an oral history interview for the National Library of Australia, May 2000, Graham Thirkell talks about his work at Byer Industries from 1952 through to the late 1960's with Rola/Plessey. During 1956-7 Graham / Byer Industries was approached by Norm O'Connor to assist in developing a portable tape recorder with a clockwork motor and transistor amplifier so that extended recording times could be achieved without having to frequently change batteries. A clockwork gramophone motor was used and Norm O'Connor hand lapped the capstan while Graham Thirkell designed and built the electronics, then tested the finished tape recorder. Norm O'Connor used this tape machine to make many recordings of Australian folklore, these recordings are now preserved by the National Library of Australia.

Allan Rowlands told me that at Byer Industries they sometimes would advertise products that they hadn't built, it is likely that the Model 22 was never made but the Norm O'Connor machine may well have been the prototype. Also Graham Thirkell said that their approach to the project may have been different if they had known about the Commonwealth Electronics CEB.