Your radio sounds like it is in good shape, but I'll bet the capacitors are bad. They almost always are in these old tube radios, and often times, that's all that's wrong with them. Sometimes the tubes are weak, but often times they're fine.

Mongomery Ward used to sell radios made by RCA, Zenith and others manufacturers, branding them as Mongomery Ward "Airline" radios. What I've done with mine is to identify the chassis by its tube set and layout, finding a similar model made by one of the main manufacturers. Then I know the schematic and a rough idea of the date of manufacture.

Wayne, I will send you a picture of the radio and another by email of the inside. Can't get any simpler. I would really like to know the age of this radio. It is very Chicago specific, with all the Chicago radio stations listed on the dial. It is push button, and short-wave also. The sleepy eye is not lit.