Hello all, I've acquired a Dutch Army Veritas P350. I'm still trying to understand why the Dutch Army would want a lantern which run on auto fuel/petrol when kerosene is cheaper to use and a safer fuel to use. OH, well I guess this is a question for another time. The lantern is in good shape for having a bit of a fall at one time. The reason for me saying this is the hood is bent just a little. It doesn't have the original glass but replacement is a very good fit. Someone did a very piss poor job of painting this lantern. I started dismantling this lantern and this is one very strange mix of parts that's for sure. The fuel tank, frame and hood are Veritas but the burner assembly and control valve assembly is AGM. The pump and filler cap are also AGM. The vaporizer may also be AGM but I'm not sure. The pricker is still intact and the vaporizer is quite clean. The pump leather needed to be oiled and the pump tube was quite dirty so it was cleaned. The 3 piece filler cap needed to be rebuilt. Here are the money shots. I really didn't have to do very much to get this lantern up and running. There was a leak which the previous owner repaired. This lantern runs quite well and I'm pleased to have it in my collection. Cheers, Norman
@Norman There’s an interesting discussion about the fuel for the Veritas P350 by @Mackburner here: Veritas P350 That might be the reason it’s got “KERO” stencilled on the tank. Tony
Hey @Norman Well done on the light up of your P350. The paint job’s quality appears consistent with army equipment. I have example of army equipment, including a lamp, that seems to be painted by people that had too many lamps to paint and too little time to do it. Consequently the painting looks like a mad woman’s sh—! (fertiliser) (an Aussie tradies saying, not meant to be sexist ...... it’s sad that I have to type the disclaimer) Cheers Pete
Hello Norman Hmm.. the hood on my P350 is one piece.. They painted ‘ kero ‘ on the tank but it will not run on kero ! I use Coleman fuel and/ or the less expensive fuel called ‘ wasbenzine ‘ , cheap to buy here in the Netherlands The Veritas is a well build and easy to use lantern for me Best regards from Holland ! Tjerk Polee
See also my nov.2019 quote # 7 and # 8.. my veritas 350 Later on the dutch army ordered the right version This version had a Petromax style pump, running on kero and is easy to identify by the 3 clamps holding the hood in place ! Tjerk
This lantern runs very well on Coleman fuel. When I received this lantern it still had auto fuel/petrol in the tank and it smelled turpentine. I rinsed out the tank with Acetone which cleaned out what was left of the auto fuel. I do understand why this lantern may not run very well on Kerosene due to the mantle being a bit too far away to vaporize the Kerosene properly. Here's a couple of night pictures. Hi Tony I did read the discussion about the fuel for the P350 which was very interesting and very useful. @AussiePete, I like your saying and thank you for your kind comment. @Tjerk, this lantern almost lights itself and is quite bright. @Alex Smith, Thank you for your kind comment. Hello Jeff you are correct this Veritas P350 is a very find addition to my collection. All of my Veritas lanterns run very well indeed. For me the Veritas is easy to light and easy to maintain. Cheers, Norman
@Norman and @ColinG Going by the recent Veritas related posts so far, we, between us have a number of Veritas lanterns, perhaps 6+ in total, and they all start and run very well. On this forum, the Veritas lantern has a bad reputation, perhaps deserved, but for the life of me, I can’t understand how it got this reputation. My 3 behave beautifully on light up and then run flawlessly. So I’m wondering how did the Veritas get this reputation? Empirically, I think this myth is “busted”! Cheers Pete
@AussiePete Imagine... you are a soldier in the dutch army in the beginning of the ‘50’s and your governement had just ordered some 100 or more of Veritas lanterns in the UK. You paint it green and add the word ‘ kero’ on it as you were told it runs on kero. First light.. flames, smook and lots of soot... :-( To light your Veritas becomes a real drama ! So there you have the bad reputation but the poor lantern can’t help ! You were confused also ; the Veritas had a cup for pre- heating... In the late 50’s the real kero version came into the dutch army and both versions were mixed used on.. kero only ! The soldier is not to blame ; he did as he was told.. Cheers , Tjerk
@Tjerk Thank you for the reply. Yes, I can see how the Dutch military would have had problems with the mixup with fuel types. Also, I have served as a soldier in the Australian army and I do understand a little about what goes on with supply and the duties of a soldier. However, I was referring to the recently posted fettles of a couple of Veritas Superbs, Veritas 350s (civilian issue) and the Veritas 9955 lanterns. In each case these civilian Veritas lanterns have started easily and run very well. There is a perception, amongst some collectors, that Veritas lanterns are very difficult to start and run. My question was trying to understand why or how the civilian Veritas lanterns gained this reputation. In my experience, and the experience of others that have recently fettled civilian Veritas lanterns, no problems were encountered with starting or running. Therefore I put forward the opinion that perhaps the reputation was unwarranted and in fact, the Veritas is a good lantern. From my experience, I then declared the myth is “busted”. I hope my explanation has cleared up any misgivings. Cheers Pete
Hi Pete 100 % agree ! If they have a green or a chrome jacket.. no difference...it is still a very nice lantern to light ! Thumbs up ! Regards from a dutchie, Tjerk
@Tjerk No worries mate, I’m actually on the lookout for a Veritas 9955. I’m about to go on a road trip down to the lower States in Aussie, geographically, and a 9955 and a 350, for my mate Norman in Spokane, are on the list of “must haves” Cheers Pete
This is a question I've been pondering recently too, Pete. What I love about my two Superbs is that they basically try to start themselves! After about half of the meths/denatured alcohol has gone, the mantle starts to glow of it's own accord and after only a few pumps, both my lovely ladies are up and running. I've got a third on its way so it'll be interesting to see if this one behaves the same.
@ColinG That’s the exact reason for my query. I now have 3 Veritas lanterns, 2 x Superbs and a 350 that behave impeccably and predictably when being lit and they all run very well, without fuss. Norman over in the US has been experiencing the same positive experiences with his. It’ll be interesting to see if the one you’re fettling exhibits the same behaviour. I’m quite impressed with the Veritas lanterns and now I’m looking for a 9955. I enjoy the hunt very much, it’s like a quest. Cheers Pete
Hi fellas , I have fettled two 350a back to life, my 1st one was an experience, my 2nd I new what to do and look for and how to fix any issues, I have a Dutch army issue and another 350a to do on my list, biggest tips are, 1. long pre heat, Fill the spirit bowl right up let it burn until boiling and nearly empty 2. long peerless sock type mantle big 300-500cp, it certainly helps with the vaporisation. Like as above comments , I had no issues with mine, on bad experiences, and I also think that the Veritas is greatly underestimated. very cool lanterns
