As the Second World War progressed, brass became a scarce resource and just like Tilley, W&B were forced into substituting brass components with steel. Towards the very end of 1941 as a result of this brass shortage a new model appeared, the Vapalux 300. The brass tank and cage of earlier lamps was replaced by steel but still retained the same general shape and features. The internal gallery and E41 hood disappeared and was replaced by the familiar configuration we see today, where the triple tubed burner is held in place by holes in the hood and brass air buttons. On this model the lower section of the hood was still made of brass with vertical slotted holes for heat dissipation. This first version 300 had the same shaped steel and enamel heat deflector as used on the E41 but it was soon replaced by a more utilitarian style in the second version. The instruction card for this model still shows a pressure nipple and the E41 style heat deflector. All the examples of this lamp that I have seen carry the crow's foot marking and the year 1942.
Hi ! Thats a great photograph of your lamp , just remind me ,when did they stop putting the hole in the glass ? ...mick
Not a definitive answer, but it was when they changed from the slotted collar with 'flying saucer' hole for the jet cleaner to the solid collar with triangular hole. It was to do with the air-flow from the collar up to the spirit cup during priming...
Mick, W&B made a decision to move away from the Pyrex globe with a hole in January 1945. Like most things it was based on the cost of manufacture. They did experiment with a mica globe before deciding on the 'lift up' style that we still have today.
