Pippin
Dragon 16K - codename "pippin"
The dragon reportedly started out life as a 16K prototype code named "Pippin" (hand built by PA Technology in Cambridge in October 1981 for Mettoy) as part of project SAM and was about to start production when Sinclair launched the 48K Spectrum as the successor to the earlier 16K model. A number of early prototypes were built by hand and today only one example of the "pippin" is known to still exist. Apart from the missing additional 16K the prototype was almost identical in design to the Dragon 32 that became the launch machine.
In the photos of the prototype below you can see the PSU, PSU board, keyboard (from Hi-Tek but with original keys) and the motherboard. Notice that all are made on simple etched boards and that the keyboard connector is different, also notice the missing cartridge connector and power button.
Many thanks to Richard Harding for taking these photos and extended thanks to the owner of this machine for letting him visit.
