Radius 106A

Just got my dad's Radius 106A and after I fitted a sock and filled the kerosene, it started right away. Looks to be in good condition under the dirt, so now it will be cleaning!

 

Very nice and it means a lot to you!

 

That's a lovely lantern and so much more meaningful as it belonged to your father!

 

That’s a very special lantern, I’m glad for you to be able to have her running and for the memories that it holds.
Cheers
Pete

 

A well built lantern.

 

Some now pictures...

 

What a nice lantern. I'd guess its pre-war? Looks similar to a 1930s Petromax 826. And maybe the Optimus 300 too.
It must be bringing on some old memories with your dad. Mind if I ask: when was it last being used before this?

 

MYN, I have no idea when it was used before, but everything was functional.

 

Must be a very long time ago. Probably used by your dad before you were born?

 

This model was introduced in the mid 1950s. Not long before Radius stopped active production.

 

This illustration is from a 1956 Radius catalogue.




Cheers

Tony

 

Its a pity that the production stopped that early. I've hardly ever seen any Radius in my area. The most common around here is the Optimus. Even the Primus is quite hard to come by here.

 

Of the Swedish manufacturers, Radius was the smallest and did not have as large an export market. By the end of the 50s the market for kerosene fuelled appliances was diminishing fast, so Radius cut their losses and sold out to Optimus (in 1962 I believe) who stopped any further production of Radius branded appliances. I believe they still made spares, but I have no evidence for that.