Western Electric 717A/VT-269 Vacuum Tube - Sealed in WWII Box

Item: Western Electric Type 717A / VT-269 Vacuum Tube

Manufacturer: Western Electric Co.

Military designation: VT-269

Order date on box: September 17, 1943

Condition: New Old Stock (NOS), factory sealed military box

Description

This is an original Western Electric 717A / VT-269 vacuum tube still sealed in its original WWII-era Signal Corps packaging. The box is marked “U.S. Army – U.S. Navy Tube Type 717A / VT-269” with an order date of 9-17-43, indicating wartime production for military electronics and radar systems.

The 717A is a compact pentode vacuum tube developed by Western Electric and produced in large quantities during World War II for radar and high-frequency electronics. It served primarily as a low-noise front-end amplifier in UHF radar receivers, used in sets such as aircraft and naval radar systems. 

Because of its stable characteristics and low microphonics, the tube later gained popularity among vintage electronics enthusiasts and audiophiles for specialized amplifier circuits and restorations of historic radio equipment. 

This example remains sealed with the original Western Electric paper band, meaning the tube inside has never been removed or tested since it left the factory over 80 years ago. Sealed WWII Signal Corps tubes are desirable to collectors of military electronics, radar equipment, and vacuum tube technology.

Key Features

• Model: Western Electric 717A
• Military designation: VT-269
• Type: Pentode vacuum tube
• Era: World War II production
• Box marking: U.S. Army / U.S. Navy contract
• Order number: 7461-WF-43
• Date: September 17, 1943
• Condition: New old stock (still sealed in original box)