Still can’t quite believe this turned up in Yorkshire but very happy to have it in my collection. There was some debate about the originality of the blue paint but a bit of further investigation revealed a green paint beneath. Fairly straightforward restoration, the vent was heavily tarnished and I took it back far enough for a good 70 year old finish. I have seen these very shiny on other lanterns but it would have required a lot of material loss to get past the pitting. Fount had a vinegar and screw bath to clean it out but it looked reasonable anyway. It took a while to find a good colour match for the fount and ended up with a Kobra Turquoise. Possibly the worst spray can I’ve ever used (big splatters of paint every now and then) but the finish is reasonable. A coat of black hammerite on the base to protect the steel. Beyond that it has had a new generator on and a good clean up and away she goes!
Lots of fun and a good working lantern. Incidentally that is the colour of the taxis, the lamposts, railings etc in Brighton.
If you could find out what paint they use, that would be really helpful. The can I used was a very inconsistent spray. Then again I don’t expect to find too many of these.
Well done on the restoration @Scott D She looks good and runs very well. I haven’t seen one of these in the wild as yet and I suspect that these beasties are quite elusive. Enjoy Pete
I had any model of this style of vent on my wish list, but never thought I’d find one, certainly not cheap and close to home. I’ve not been collecting long, but it’s amazing what turns up if you’re keeping an eye out.
Well they tend to wait untill it is lumpy and partially cured then put it on with a trowel onto all manner of rusty cast iron with no preparation . And that was before Covid stopped them opening the tin.. I will ask about the taxi paint but I am sure it won't come in a (s)praycan
I assumed not! Anyway, even if another showed up over here, my no duplicate rule would kick in, probably… A 242 or 243 though, that wouldn’t be a duplicate!
