Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Dore · 1979
Pilot Of The Airwaves was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 10 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
101078 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side A
101078 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 101 078 ALabel side A
S 101 078 BLabel side B
WIP 6526 A-1U SOUND CLINICSide A runout, variant 1
WIP 6526 B-1USide B runout, variant 1
WIP 6526 A-1U G SOUND CLINIC 1Side B runout, variant 2
WIP 6526 B-1U G 1Side A runout, variant 2
IS-49166-XAA-9262-S-SR1 [SRC logo] 1-1 [STERLING]Variant 1 Side A- etched [stamped]
IS-49166-XAA-9266-S-SR1 [SRC logo] 1-1 [STERLING]Variant 1 Side B- etched [stamped]
XAA9262SSide A- Label
XAA9266SSide B- Label
IS-49166-XAA-9262-S-WW1 #2 —◁ STERLINGRunout side A
IS-49166-XAA-9266-S-WW1 #3 —◁ STERLINGRunout side B
XAA9262SA-Side Label
XAA9266SB-Side Label
IS-49166-XAA-9262-S-LW1· 1 STERLING ✲Side A runout, etched (STERLING stamped)
IS-49166-XAA-9266-S-LW1· 1 STERLING ✲Side B runout, etched (STERLING stamped)
XAA 9262SSide A label
XAA 9266SSide B label
IS-49166-XAA-9262-S-JW1 #4 [STERLING] 0Etched side A (Variant 1
IS-49166-XAA-9262-S-JW1 [STERLING] 0Etched side B (Variant 1
IS-49166-XAA-9262-S-JW1 [STERLING] 0Side A, runout (Variant 2
IS-49166-XAA-9262-S-JW1 #3 [STERLING] 0Side B, runout (Variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Island Records K7691 / Island Records WIP 6526First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Austria | Island Records 101 078 - 100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Brazil | Island Records 101 078First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records IS 49166First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records IS 49166First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 6010 264First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 101 078 / Island Records 101 078 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 101 078 / Island Records 101 078 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 101 078 / Island Records 101 078 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Island Records K 7691First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49166First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49166First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49166First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49166First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49166First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Chile | Island Records IS 10.0327", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Guatemala | Island Records I-917", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-170037", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | Island Records Ltd. PD 18047", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Zimbabwe | Island Records Ltd. PD 18047", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-170037", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | Island Records 3906-92757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Pilot Of The Airwaves are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records 101 078.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 101 078, WIP 6526, IS 49166, K7691) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 101078 A-1/79S Made in Germany and 101078 B-1/79S Made in Germany. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
