Planet U1

High-end British half-track mono tape deck, designed by Frank Underhill and made by Planet Projects Ltd (Northolt, Middlesex). On the drawing board from 1957, it launched in 1962 for the top of the market. Drive: single-motor transport, three tape speeds, solenoid pushbutton controls; a large brass flywheel gives excellent speed accuracy, with long-term speed stability about +/-0.2% and rewind of roughly 90 seconds with tight, even stacking. Heads/audio: three heads in half-track mono with provision for a fourth head; quoted frequency response about 30 Hz-22 kHz at 15 ips, 30 Hz-18 kHz at 7.5 ips and 30 Hz-15 kHz at 3.75 ips.