This is a Tilley SDR, identified in the Neil McRae's Pressure Lamp Catalogue as Type 2 (1946-1950). It has been slightly modified, by having holes cut in the top reflector at the points where the burner air tubes extend to the reflector (see below). There were no spacers above the top reflector. This modification was most likely done by TW Sands in Melbourne as the lantern came with a Holmes Lantern Spares vapouriser (see here). The lantern was cleaned and fettled (washers etc), but not repainted or polished to death. Here is where the air holes have been cut. The 'Holmes' vapouriser is next to a Tilley 606 in this photo. The Holmes vapouriser. The lantern came with a Tilley 2081 glass. "Tilley/G.T.C.Ltd./2081/British Made/Heat Resisting" Up and running: Testing the burner on "David", the test bed. This is a very fine lantern. Cheers Tony
@Tony Press that is a very fine lantern. One day, just one day, I would love to experience your collection. Cheers Peter
A beautiful lantern with character that would be a showpiece in any Tilley collection. The glass and Holmes vapouriser are interesting too. Nice to see it burning so well. Iain
A lovely lamp and well documented with the photos. Nice to have the correct glass. I can understand the modification to the upper reflector, I struggled for some time to get mine running because of lack of air intake, ended up adding washers and bending the reflector flange. Interesting that the 'pork pie' based SDR lamps are Type 2 and domed tank based ones are Type 1 whereas the X246 history runs the other way
@KAB I used the latest (March 2019) edition of Neil McRae's Pressure Lamp Catalogue to call the 'type'. Neil has an explanation for his 'type' sequencing of the SDRs. The CPL Reference Gallery postings do not necessarily reflect Neil's latest categorisation. Neil might have something to contribute to this. Cheers Tony @Mackburner
I thought the correct (period) globe was No. 78, and that this 2081 globe was from a gas (propane, not gasoline) lamp. Tony
Absolutely correct, Tony - the original SDR fitment was the No. 78 globe. The No. 2081 globe was from the GL602, 700 and 701 propane/butane models and in 1962, cost 3/6d (3 shillings and 6 pence i.e. 17.5p for the young whippersnappers around here). Depending on manufacturing tolerances, the 2081 can fit directly into the SDR but often requires a millimetre or two ground off the end(s) otherwise the hood doesn't sit on properly...
Thanks, David. It was @Anthony who showed me a Tilley gas* lamp with the 2081 globe when I was getting it running. I noticed no problem with the fitting of the globe or hood, and the glass had not been ground. Thank you for the additional information. Best regards Tony *not gasoline.
Yes the PLC has a section which lists Tilley tank types and I wish I had never written that part because it is misleading. Problem is I created the PLC about 35 years ago and for some time it was distributed as hard copy. Up dated from time to time of course but it meant that there were folk out there with that tank type list in print and in their heads and I can't really change it because I worry that it might confuse. That would be OK but I got it wrong and listed the Pork Pie tank as type 1 which chronologically is just plain wrong. At the time I thought it was right but it ain't and I can't easily change it now. In date order they should be 2,3,1,4,5,6. I have learned a bit in the last 30 years and if I was to revise the tank typing it would probably have about 15 types and not just 6. The PLC is continually being updated and most mistakes are corrected as I find them or have them pointed out to me by researchers from all over the world but for historical reasons that tank typing has never been corrected. One thing I have leaned down the years is that if you publish anything you can’t go back and un-write stuff. You hang out your knowledge or ignorance for the world to see and have to live with any consequences. ::Neil::
@KAB For a pressure lamp enthusiast, Neil’s excellent publication is well worth subscribing to, because it is updated regularly as new information is found. I will take some time later (I’m laid up with a virus at the moment), to list the various SDRs in the Reference Gallery against Neil’s typology for the SDR. Cheers Tony
@Mackburner Thank you for your explanation, as you say items appear and believed information has to adapt. Where may I view your written knowledge, the aforementioned PLC ?
Hi all What is the publication of Neil’s you talk about. I would be very interested in it. How do I find this publication? Cheers Pete
The PLC is a 250 page collectors guide to all the portable pressure lamps we know of. Covers everthing world wide. Been 30 odd years and counting in the writing and includes some of the history of the companies and people who made the lamps. It comes as a PDF file at US$20 a pop and subsequent updates are free. PM me and you can certainly buy a copy. ::Neil::
Here I will take the SDR examples from the Reference Gallery and list them against Neil McRae's current typology for SDRs. Type 1: 1946. There is no example. Neil knows of only one of these. Type 2: Tilley SDR (Type 2, 1946-1950) Tilley SDR Type2? Tilley SDR Type 1 Tilley SDR Type 1 Tilley SDR Type 1 Tilley SDR type 1 Type 3: Tilley SDR type 2 Tilley S.D.R. NOS Tilley SDR Type 2 Type 4: 1954 SDR ('Type 3') - Rijkswaterstaat, The Netherlands 1954 Model SDR Research is a moving puzzle - the more we look the better we understand. Neil says in his Catalogue, "The chronology for the ...SDR lanterns is not certain...". Cheers Tony @Mackburner
