Here is a Tasman (Flag Style) PMG model telephone box which was some of the earliest models used in Australia, having a working history dating back to the early 1930's. These boxes were commonly attached to Post Offices and usually contained magneto type telephones until the late 1930's when pre-decimal coin payphones and coin units were starting to be used ( A B coin units and Penny Long Tom coin units and phones). The roof was made from a wooden frame with a galvanised steel sheet cover. The box was originally painted in a red colouring with a black ragging effect on the inside or completely red apart from the roof trims. This colour design was later replaced with the lime green paint and a dark green effect in the 60's when brighter colours were introduced. Most of them have now had solid backboard panels fitted to allow the heavy post decimal wall mounted payphones to be installed.

The Tasman Flag Style model had its problems right from the start. Poor ventilation and proximity to the ground saw a greater risk of rotting and proved fatal to many units. The original design contained a hardwood floor with a large rounded wooden bead lining the edges.  In some remote rural areas, and more commonly in QLD, pressure switches were fitted under the floor to reduce the running costs of the lights. The original doors had a small brass handle and the door was connected to the box with chain and door closer. The windows were sealed using a linseed oil based putty sealer.The window panes used were 4 mm non-safety glass and screen printed telephone glass panels. Different lights were fitted into the Flag Style box with the early bread box type light housing and wire screening, then the heavy duty pearl light housing that sat away from the ventilation hole in the ceiling then finally a bunker light that sat right over the ventilation hole.