This device is a VT-127A transmitting triode vacuum tube, branded under the Gammatron line by Heintz & Kaufman. This is a pristine untested tube. In original packing and packaging. Photos clearly show its amazing pristine condition. This is an approximately 82 year old tube!!

Developed during World War II, these rugged tubes were primarily engineered for military use in radar units, specifically as pulse oscillators for the SCR-268 radar.

Key Specifications & Features:

Type: Directly heated transmitting triode with a thoriated tungsten filament.

Design: Features a distinct "weird bulb" shape with four horizontal rods protruding from the sides for plate and grid connections.

Performance: Rated for 100 watts of plate dissipation. In pulsed radar operation, they could handle up to 16,000 volts, producing peak power in the thousands of watts.

Filament Requirements: Operates at 5.0 volts and requires a high current of approximately 10.4 amperes.

Materials: Heintz & Kaufman used a tantalum grid and anode in their Gammatron line, which allowed the tubes to withstand severe overloads without developing internal gas. Some units utilized uranium glass at the seals to handle thermal expansion.

Usage & Historical Context:

While originally built for the U.S. Navy and Army to power large-scale radar systems, these tubes have since become a niche interest for vintage electronics collectors and high-fidelity audio hobbyists. Modern experimenters sometimes use them in custom DIY audio amplifiers, operating them similarly to a type 211 tube.

Due to their specialized history and construction, current market prices for these tubes typically range from approximately $189 to $295, depending on their condition and whether they are tested.