H all, newbie here and first post. I have just acquired myself a Tilley Floodlight and would like to see if i could get a few questions answered. Thought this would be the best place to try. I have been told this lamp was originally used by the R.A.F at Bishopscourt in Northern Ireland. So my questions are: 1. Is this the original colour for the lamp? 2. Is it possible to clean/polish the reflector, or should i try and source a new one? 3. I have ordered the 191 mantle for it, does the mantle in the photo look like the correct mantle? I have also ordered new seals and cork, Appreciate any answers or help, Cheers. ps, hope i have posted correctly and in the correct place, first time using a forum.
Welcome, Ben Answers: 1. Yes, later versions of the FL6 came in silver paint (unless, of course it has been painted over). Is there a transfer on the light? 2. It is possible to clean the reflector, but very, very gently. Your reflector looks as if some of the plating has been worn off. I would wash with warm soapy water first. If there is soot or stain, I would then use a degreaser on that place; then I would polish very gently with Mother’s Mag. 3. The mantle does not look like a Tilley 191, but you could use it to test the light. There might be a date stamp on the bottom of the tank. Best regards Tony @Ben76
Welcome Ben. Regarding the reflector, I'd follow Tony's advice and see how it turns out, you may be able to live with it. If you can't, new old stock reflectors are available at a price vintage nos GENUINE TILLEY LAMP REFLECTOR FOR FL6 or perhaps you could get it re-plated. The lamp is the wrong way round in its stand, the single point of contact should be to the rear.
Welcome Ben. If you are not familiar with Tilleys at all search for stuff on this site. The FL6 lamp follows the same principles as most Tilley lanterns. Valve seal in the cock, one at the bottom of the pump tube and the other obvious ones. Don't forget the pump leather. The 191 is the corrrect mantle and the packets will have FL printed on them as well. It is smaller than the normal Tilley 164 mantle. I did buy a new reflctor for mine and the difference was startling. They are never supposed to be polished, but yours is past that point where it matters too much. It will still give plenty of light. I would get it going before comitting the cash. Lastly you will need a lighting torch 151 - the older model is correct for your lamp but both will work. We look forward to pictures of it running. Yours looks to be in fine condition.
Thanks Tony for the advice, there is a made in england stamp on the bottom and some numbers and what looks like an x, very hard to read what it says. No transfers at all and the finish appears to be like that of the finish when using the hammerite paint, would that be the original type of finish when the lamps came out of the factory? Thanks Henry for pointing out the correct position, I have rectified that. I will get myself a new reflector ordered up and new seals and mantle should be here this week, so hopefully i can get it fired up next weekend and annoy my neighbours though im on the flight path into the city airport about 2 miles away, could end up with a Ryanair 737 in the garden though not the first time they have landed at the wrong airport. Thanks for the welcome messages, and the help and advice much appreciated.
Ben Have a look at one of my FL6 lights here: Tilley FL6 (1960; NOS) You will see in one of the photos the date stamp. Your light has one. Only the numbers tell the date, eg 661XA would be June 1961. As to the paint, just search your lamp for evidence of being painted over. Cheers Tony @Ben76
Hi Fireexit, I have a few Tilleys so hopefully should get this beast up and running ok, I managed to find an original 191 mantle for sale so waiting for delivery of it, have new seals and pump leather arriving also. Thanks for the advice, Will post my light show next weekend all being well
Tony, Have had a closer look, and the stamp appears to read 962XA, so i'm assuming 1962? Nice pair of lamps you have there, yours appear to look nice and smooth whereas mine has a sort of hammered finish, possibly been repainted at some point
