transistor quality?

Thats allright tvtech, we are from totally different parts of the planet so probaby have different ways of explaining things.

I dont think radio shack and RS comps have any connection.
RS was indeed radio spares, I have a couple of components thrown out from one place I worked that have the original RS man printed on the side (looks a bit like the geyser on the start up page of acrobat reader), if you have an original RS man lapel pin badge its worth a few bob to the directors at RS, they fetch good money on ebay.