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Ian L

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""The Gooseneck Flare was so called because of the long-necked spout on a container that resembled a large watering can. The main body contained paraffin with a wick placed in the spout. The Gooseneck would be positioned with the spout pointing downwind to prevent flaring when alight. It produced a bright light but was extremely difficult to extinguish in the event of enemy approaching.

The Gooseneck Flares were positioned at intervals along the edge of the runway being used at night to assist and guide the pilots of landing aircraft"

 

http://www.rafharrowbeer.co.uk/about.htm

 

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""The Gooseneck Flare was so called because of the long-necked spout on a container that resembled a large watering can. The main body contained paraffin with a wick placed in the spout. The Gooseneck would be positioned with the spout pointing downwind to prevent flaring when alight. It produced a bright light but was extremely difficult to extinguish in the event of enemy approaching.

The Gooseneck Flares were positioned at intervals along the edge of the runway being used at night to assist and guide the pilots of landing aircraft"

 

http://www.rafharrowbeer.co.uk/about.htm

 

 

Thanks, just found this on another forum.

 

The original 'wick' (not shown) was a flat tube of woven cotton about 30mm wide pushed through the spout with about 4 to 6 inches protruding. The can was filled with kerosene (paraffin) to just below interior spout. Wick soaked up the fuel and was ignited using a Match, Fusee or more often, since many might be in use, a Portfire.

 

Often used as primary or secondary runway marking but also in other applications such as marine target marking on ranges.

 

The '21G/95' is the RAF AP 1086 Stores Vocabulary number, i.e. Section 21G, Reference 95 used when ordering and identifying the item. I think that these were classified as 'B'' Stores and as such were not expendable but considered repairable and thus had to be held on custody charge of an individual Inventory and were accountable Ground Equipment.

 

There was available a pair of tongs which could be used to adjust the flaming wick but it was easier to wear a pair of RAF issue leather faced gloves or, in desperation, a folded bereticon_razz.gif

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I'm pretty sure this ISN'T a gooseneck flare, but a simple filling can of some description.

 

Assuming the stamping is an AM stores reference, Section 21 is for Barrack Equipment

Subsection 21G/x covers "Hospital Equipment, excluding medical & surgical supplies" which doesn't sound right at all, more likely is 21C/x "Metalware".

 

Goosenecks with marked stores references are usually in Section 4 (Aerodrome Equipment), for example 4C/1273 is the reference for the regular round pattern type with the round lid.

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I'm pretty sure this ISN'T a gooseneck flare, but a simple filling can of some description.

 

Assuming the stamping is an AM stores reference, Section 21 is for Barrack Equipment

Subsection 21G/x covers "Hospital Equipment, excluding medical & surgical supplies" which doesn't sound right at all, more likely is 21C/x "Metalware".

 

Goosenecks with marked stores references are usually in Section 4 (Aerodrome Equipment), for example 4C/1273 is the reference for the regular round pattern type with the round lid.

 

Hi all

I agree with Paul, we have a gooseneck flare can at RAF Kenley and the spout is longer and straighter than the one on the forum.

We tried it out some years ago and you could see the light from the far end of runway 03 at night despite the light pollution from London.

 

Regards

Robin

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I'm pretty sure this ISN'T a gooseneck flare, but a simple filling can of some description.

 

Assuming the stamping is an AM stores reference, Section 21 is for Barrack Equipment

Subsection 21G/x covers "Hospital Equipment, excluding medical & surgical supplies" which doesn't sound right at all, more likely is 21C/x "Metalware".

 

Goosenecks with marked stores references are usually in Section 4 (Aerodrome Equipment), for example 4C/1273 is the reference for the regular round pattern type with the round lid.

 

It definitely stamped 21C not G I just buffed it up.

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  • 5 months later...
Thanks, definitive answer at last but what does it mean ? Can, Water, Toilet ?

 

It's a Can, intended to contain Water, for use in a Toilet.

 

Simples! <squeak>

 

At a guess, it's intended for washing down the "wall and gully" type of urinal where there's no automated flushing system installed.

 

Chris.

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  • 6 years later...

This is not a gooseneck flare... all containers carrying paraffin or kerosene were fitted with a sealed lid... 

Imagine one lid slightly open allowing a spark in, or a change of wind direction backing the flare and you would end up with a "FLARE" that could be seen for miles.

 

It is for filling water containers... once had a rubber pipe of about 2' attached.

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