I am very fortunate to have this Australian-made Stormaster lantern. The Stormaster lantern was made in Melbourne, Australia, in the 1950s. Information suggests that only 500 of these lanterns were made, most of which were sold in the Western districts of Victoria (Australia) (B Holmes, pers.comm). The Stormaster has some of the best features of the pressure lanterns of the period (see photos). The burner is a very close copy of the Austramax burner and can be fitted with either an Austramax or a Coleman 249 burner tube and cap; the generator (vapouriser) is a Coleman 249 generator; the tank is made of solid nickel-plated brass; and the pump is a copy of the Nettlefold Kayen pump (itself a copy of the Tilley pump). I'm still working on tracking down who made/assembled/marketed these lanterns. Any information will be gratefully received. My tank is unmarked but I have seen one with "Stormaster" embossed on it (as is the one illustrated on Terry Marsh's website). The Stormaster takes a Coleman 249 generator. Up and running: Comparison of the Stormaster burner to an Austramax burner. The casting of the Stormaster is almost identical to the example of the Austramax on the right. The 'shoulders' of the Stormaster extend further out than the Austramax. The Stormaster has a larger diameter machined port for the generator to sit into the burner. The Stormaster burner tube and cap on the left looks like a Coleman 249; the Austramax burner tube and cap on the right is interchangeable in the burner with the Stormaster. The pump of the Stormaster (bottom or left) looks very much like a Nettlefold Kayen (top or right). The spirit cup of the Stormaster (left) is the same design and slightly larger than the Austramax (right). Here the Austramax spirit cup is sitting inside the Stormaster spirit cup. As it came (unassembled from used and NOS parts): The tank and fuel block had had a heavy fall at some stage. Gently straightened by hand in a vise. Partially assembled before cleaning. This glass fitted perfectly. I used this mantle to fire the lantern. I am privileged to have this lantern. Now that I know it works, it will become a shelf queen! Cheers Tony [ @Mackburner ]
Wow! I like it. Great pictures getting it from basically the scrap heap to shelfie status. Well done Tony! Alex
Excellent work and presentation Tony. It's overall size is larger than the Austramax or the Coleman 249. How does it compare in brightness?
@ROBBO55 You just reminded me that I should have posted a photo of the Stormaster with an Austramax and a Coleman 249. I’ll do that soon. As to brightness, it looks as bright as a the Coleman 249 and Austramax. I reckon the jet of the Coleman 249 and Austramax would be virtually the same, and it’s running through a burner that for all intents and purposes is an Austramax. Cheers Tony
Here is the Stormaster sitting between an Austramax (left) and a Coleman 249 Scout (right). Cheers Tony
No it's not. I KNOW you got a copy of the PLC and it's been in there a while. You have to do what I keep forgetting and read it now and then. ::Neil::
WOW......am absolutely gobsmacked!! Find of the year as far as I am concerned....what an important find in regards to Australian pressure lantern history. Was unaware of this brand....another one to look out for. Beautifully photographed/documented as always - you are a great asset to this community. Thanks for putting this one up - anymore on the backstory ie was it found in Western districts etc? Cheers Peter
@peterthevet The lantern came from a collector in Melbourne. It was not found in the western districts of Victoria. The information about production and sales was passed on to me, and we are trying to get more information together about this lantern. I've just uncovered another curiosity about burner, but I need to do a bit more pondering and photography before I take that particular matter any further. Stay tuned. Cheers Tony
Tony I have seen one of these before It was advertised with a couple of lamps on an online sight but unfortunately it was gone when I enquired I did find some info Once I refind it I’ll let you know It’s a beauty mate !
@Akeepsake Can you remember where (location) the Stormaster was being sold? I was aware of Terry’s listing so I sent him an email with a link to this thread. Cheers Tony
On the subject of the Stormaster burner: Having looked at about 25 examples of Austramax and Coleman 249 burners I think the brass casting of the Stormaster burner is a copy of the Austramax (but with bigger ‘shoulders’; see photo above). The brass casting of the Austramax burner is itself an inexact copy of the middle to late 1930s Canadian 249 burner (slight differences in dimensions; not quite the same thread at the top of the casting to take the ‘ventilator rod’). Cheers Tony
Tony I think it was Victoria So they’re out there !! Personally I think it’s made by Austramax purely on design similarities Merry Christmas !
@Akeepsake I have some information (that still needs confirmation) that the Stormaster was not made by Austramax. It might require a trip to Victoria to confirm this information, though. Whoever did the brass casting for the Austramax burner may well have done the casting for the Stormaster. It could be the case that some parts were sourced from different suppliers and assembled as the Stormaster. I’m still on the case. Cheers Tony
For sure Tony I’m only going off similarities I see, nothing concrete but I’m sure you’ll dig a bit deeper !!
