Greetings Everybody! Look what got delivered today, absolute bargain at £7.50 plus postage on the Bay of E I think? Now it's question time - Although I have quite a selection of Bialaddins, this is my first Vapalux. I know they are effectively the same, but am I looking at an M1 here? The Hood is a particularly nice one, just a few blemishes. Fount is in reasonable worn condition, with just the one obligatory dent, but still retaining a fair covering of "Army" Green. Just needs a clean up, an Air Button, a replacement Glass and a Mantle as far as I can see. It is dated 1973, branded Vapalux, and has the usual Broad Arrow and fabled 21C Military Stores Reference number on the collar. It does amuse me that for all the years I was in the Military, all the Exercises, Training Courses and Expeditions I went on, living under canvas - I never once saw any kind of Paraffin Lamp or Stove, Ever! Anyway, enjoy the Pics, any nuggets of info gratefully received. Can't wait to get cracking, just as soon as I finish the Hipolito, the PL53, a Bialaddin and a couple of Stoves...!
Nice, I've got a later on marked as 'M1', they're very nice, easy to light lanterns and give off good light. I managed to find a split reflector for mine, looks even better when it's on, it's in the reference gallery if you want to have a look. Tim
An M1 as I see it. They don't get as much love as they should - hence the bargains! The M320's seem to get the attention, which I only ever assumed was for aesthetic reasons as they are no better imo than these. Go figure...
Thanks Chaps! It'll fit right in with its Bialaddin brethren out in the Garage - Of course, I'm gonna have to go find an M320 now, just for completeness!
@Mark Hodgson you could then have a ' family' light up like this, 305, M1 and 320. Optimus 111 and coffee pot is optional. Tim
How Lovely Tim! Never even seen one of those Optimus stoves in the flesh! I'm spending a fair amount of my off shift time trawling the local Junk and Antique emporiums for a suitably vintage Coffee Pot for my old Monitor Stove. Nothing better than getting them all "Turnin and Burnin" of an evening! These were taken some while ago, they've been breeding since! Mark
