Vapalux 300, 40’s example with no War Department broad arrow or date stamp. Brass tank and collar of the solid (not slotted) pattern. Incidentally, the ‘photo bomber’ to the right is THIS project. Brown paint in evidence on tank base and inside of collar. I’d repaint in brown but the cap is in blue enamel and in reasonable condition at that. Retaining the blue cap, the Cream or Rapidal Blue options on left and right of Ian Ashton’s photo present themselves as possibilities for a re-paint, but the resulting lamp then presents anachronisms. I do like a lamp to be ‘honest’ so a repaint in brown with a mismatching blue cap seems the best solution - unashamedly a ‘bitsa’ in the best Vapalux tradition! I’m curious to hear if you agree. John
As far as I'm aware, that navy-blue cap was only on the very rare cream lanterns. Brown lanterns had a matching brown cap as in the middle lantern above, although the brown tank looks too dark to me. Well, in the best military tradition, anyway...
@David Shouksmith You know, I’d not spotted (and was unaware of) there being caps in navy blue and the lighter blue, so thanks for that observation David.
I’ve decided to go off-piste with the colour. Though cream would be ‘correct’ for the cap in dark blue, I don’t want another cream-coloured pressure appliance tank in addition to Bialaddin bowl fires, Thermidor lantern and Tilley TL’s. I’m happy with a navy blue to complement the cap, with brass accents in pump knob, filler cap, valve, hood and globe cage uprights.
