I bought this lamp very cheaply in an HLC auction in June, and whilst I think it's a wartime PL53, I'd appreciate any advice from the more experienced Tilley collectors out there. Firstly, the handle looks wrong and is in one piece, rather than the fold-down design more commonly seen. And secondly, should this lamp have a white metal reflector? Thirdly, the underside of the tank appears to have been soft-soldered. I have yet to start fettling this lamp and I haven't pumped it up yet, but is soft-soldering a realistic method of repairing a steel tank? Finally, the original paint finish has been lost long ago, and there's no remaining evidence of the usual warning decal on this model. I have read that 'Air Force Blue' or a light grey would be a reasonable match for the original colour; any suggestions for brands of paint and colours please? As you can see, this lamp isn't in great condition but I hope it will prove to be restorable! Thanks for any advice.
It looks like a Tilley EX100 with a PL53 hood. As to the solder: I've seen a couple of tanks like this. What I would do is fill it with detergent/water and pressurise it for a couple of days and see whether it leaks. Then I'd do the same with kero just to make sure... Cheers Tony
Hi Tony, thanks for the quick response from way Down Under. You're right, the handle and tank are definitely EX100. So it's a bit of a hybrid, then! I quite like the look of it as it stands, so I'll go for a restoration. I usually pump up the tank dry then dunk it in a bucket of water and look for bubbles. Cheers - Phil
Yes, a reflector which slides down the handle and is stabilised by two angled struts which bear against it...
My 2p worth an EX 100 war Era steel tank not common in Aus with a PL53 hood (the EX is simpler without the brim) missing a reflector. Looks like it may be a solder repair to a rusted base.
I just noticed this quote from Mackburner about an EX100: "Not to be confused with a similar tank and handle arrangement and a PL53 type top which is just a cheap version of PL53. EX 100 has a 449 hood and a reflector with steady lugs." The post comes from here: http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/477 So, indeed, you may have a "cheap PL53"... Tony
It's a WW2., PL-53 and it is a Military version, the control cock has the brass knob and the thread which the gland nut screws onto will probably be made from steel and the link below shows that type of control cock. http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/3607
Yes these are not EX100 lanterns. I have seen one with a decal giving its model number and they are indeed a cheap version of PL53. Not actually all that common though. Yes Tilley made steel tank lanterns during WW2 and they were held together with soft solder. However being steel they are prone to rust from the inside if left with fuel standing for any length of time. That raft of solder rather suggests it was leaking from the middle of the base plate so it might be worth removing all that solder to examine the base plate. Can be repaired of course but you might want to solder a brass patch rather than just using solder to seal the rust holes because rust holes tell you the metal is pretty thin and wants reinforcing as well as sealing. The pump has some of the original paint which you can try to match although I have never found a readily available paint of the right colour. ::Neil::
Many thanks to Neil, Jeff, Tony and everyone else for your advice and helpful suggestions. So it's a PL53, but the cheap variant. I'll be working on it over the coming winter so I'll post the results as and when. Many thanks again, Phil
After a delay of six months, this cheap PL53 is working again. The soldered base of the original tank turned out to be sound, but both threaded handle studs leaked. I was lucky enough to find an excellent replacement steel tank, which now needs a coat of paint and I'll try to match the colour of the paint that remains on the pump. I'm still trying to locate the correct shade too. Anyway, I fitted a new set of seals and washers today, and couldn't resist firing it up this evening... all is well. The non-folding handle on this cheap variant is a bit close to the hot burner cowl, so it's wise to wear an oven glove when picking it up!
Here's the lamp alight. I've since bought a new reflector (missing when I got the lamp) and been looking through Jim Dick's book. It's got me thinking that this lamp could be made into a passable imitation of the Ballast Train Lamp shown on page 66. At the preserved railway station where I'm a volunteer, there are always ballast wagons in the siding, so it could be displayed and operated as originally intended. Now, this is a long shot - does anyone have an original TF1 frame, or some good images that I could use to help fabricate a replica? Many thanks!
As promised, here's a couple of pictures of the finished lamp. The tank has been sprayed with three coats of Rustoleum grey primer followed by four coats of Rustoleum satin finish in an appropriate colour. The new reflector was obtained from a popular internet supplier and is of excellent quality. All in all, a nice result, especially when compared with the as-found condition.
Nice job, Phil! Judging by the profile, I guess that's one of Juliands reflectors. Rightly or wrongly, I'd have been tempted to use a dab of car body filler to hide that dent. (runs for the hills while there's still a chance... )
Got it in one, David. I've bought a few items from that supplier and been impressed with the quality. Chuckle! Yes, I should have done that, I confess. But to be honest, the condition of the cowl isn't that good, so I was only aiming to create a reasonable-looking working lamp, rather than a showpiece restoration. As this lamp will see frequent use on a preserved steam railway, it's likely to get a bit battered anyway! Many thanks to everyone for your kind comments. Phil
