Mitchell Reel Forum

Hello,
I just got an incomplete 306 for spares. It doesn't have planamatic gearing, so no cam ring or planamatic gear (parts 81560 & 81561) or the alternative crosswind plate (81592). Instead, the oscillation slide fits directly onto a square block on the main gear. I have not seen this setup on any of the schematics that I can find. I assume it's a simple crosswind mechanism. There's a Canadian EBAY seller who has one drive gear like it, described as 'older oscillator style' for older pre-Garcia 306. I have measured the gear and compared it with a standard 306A drive gear (81562) and it is thicker at the edge (4.2mm vs. 3.5mm) and slightly less in diameter (see photo 306 Gear). The reel is certainly old. Serial no. is 0199637 as far as I can tell and it's got Mitchell 3-0-6 on the main body. There is another part that I can't find elsewhere which is a brass combined anti-inertia brake and bail trip (photo 306 Ramp). All other parts seem standard. I noticed from a much later schematic of a 306A (1984) that the planamatic gear and ring are missing and the main gear looks very different from the standard gear although it still has part # 81562. Was the later 306A just crosswind? Any information on this gratefully received.