LarryH57 Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 While at W&P I had a good chat with Mark Gillatt who owns the Tilling Stevens equipped with an operational 90 cm British Searchlight, as I used to operate these lights many years ago. As you may know these lights are carbon arc lights and the carbon rods are burnt up in the process of running them. Mark is despirate to get hold of some more of these rods - so if any of you know of any let me know. Incidentally Mark like many other MV owners I met was not aware of HMVF forums so I think we need to get some stickers / leaflets together with the web address to get the message across. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papav66 Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 Wouldn't know where to get rods from, so in the meantime he could cheat and stick a 500w halogen spotlight in as Bob James has done with his. For more info and details on licence to operate please look at this this thread: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?t=7056 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I don't know how big the rods are, but I used to use carbon rods for a carbon arc accessory that came with my stick welder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanter Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 We've gone down the halogen route at Shuttleworth for our projector which we use at our flying proms and other events. It did make me laugh seeing the beam at night at war and peace when we have been warned by the caa about informing them and getting a licence before using it, or else. Hopefully he didn't get in trouble for using it as the vehicle looked great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Share Posted July 30, 2009 The carbon arc rods are 2 cm approx in diameter and about 30 cms long, though I suspect the measurements would be imperial rather than metric. They were made by GEC (the British GEC that is). Two versions are needed; one which is pointed like a pencil and one without a point. Half the time the light was shinning at ground level but at least he did move the searchlight when I was up there with him on his truck, when we spotted an airliner near the beam, on its way to Gatwick. As for a Licence I forgot to mention this to Mark in the excitement of seeing a 70 year old bit of kit working as it should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 We watched and enjoyed it but were a bit worried about you getting in trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I know I'm a numpty but why is a seventy year old BRITISH searchlight 90cm please ? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I wonder if you could use the solid graphite pencils sold in art shops.... Just a ponderance. Is there any special fitment of is it just a straight carbon rod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 We thought it was a bit dodgy after the last time when airliners where being lit up. Amazing effect when parallel beam seemed to curve over head, at low elevation, thought it was my Varyfocals till Tina commented on it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Was this the same one that was at The GDSF last year? If so it looked good there as well when working, if I remember right doesn't this one come off the back and move on its own tracks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papav66 Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I know I'm a numpty but why is a seventy year old BRITISH searchlight 90cm please ? :confused: Good question, its because the searchlights concave mirror/reflector is classed as an optical instrument so equipment like as cameras and telescopes, were all manufactured in Europe and all measured in metric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 There is a WW2 searchlight forum which may be of help to some.. http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Searchlights/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Incidentally Mark like many other MV owners I met was not aware of HMVF forums so I think we need to get some stickers / leaflets together with the web address to get the message across. The word is out there... we have on average 7 new members joining everyday.. we handed out 4,000 bunker Bash flyers at W&P with HMVF featured on it & have another 36,000 to be distiributed... we usually do a few thousand at Stoneleigh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWade Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 We have a couple of US search lights, these have been converted to metal halide 1500 watts. There ok but the beam isnt a patch on what it should be. Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Cinema projectors used to use carbon arcs. Don't know if they still do. Maybe you could try cinema supplies? A mate was projectionist in a cinema and, I used to go and watch the films from the projection room for free. Anyone based in Cyprus remember the "Key Cinema" in Dhekelia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Just found a carbon arc searchlight forum, they have a recipie to make the rods. http://www.geocities.com/bobz299/searchlight3.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Not of much use, I know, but about 11 years ago, I visited Upton's yard at Corowa, in New South Wales. They were clearing the last metal out of the yard, but there were still tank and vehicle parts laying around. The place was a source for many collectors in Australia over the years, I came across a huge mound of carbons, all marked "GEC Made in England", must have been several thousand. If only I had bought a load :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Good question, its because the searchlights concave mirror/reflector is classed as an optical instrument so equipment like as cameras and telescopes, were all manufactured in Europe and all measured in metric. Thanks mate ! You live and learn ! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 Thanks for all your replies - they are very interesting. Like you Richard I wished I had kept the boxes of carbon rods that were thrown out by my unit! And by the way it was nice to meet you at W & P though you may not remember. I was taking to you about Richard Beddell's QLs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 And by the way it was nice to meet you at W & P though you may not remember. I was taking to you about Richard Beddell's QLs. I do recollect the subject being talked about, but cannot think to whom, you know what it is like there, so many people stop to chat about vehicles, etc. That is what is so nice about the show, meeting people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papav66 Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Following Lee's link to a searchlight forum a chap recently posted this: I have several cartons of GE rods packed in sawdust in steel cans. They are in good order and I will sell the lot of these. There are about seven cans of them. E-mail me at anthony@firework.co.nz and I will give you photographs and pricing including freight. Kind Regards Anthony Lealand Firework Professionals Ltd http://www.firework.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share Posted August 29, 2009 Just got back from Holiday - so did not see this post. I will speak to Mark and reply by email. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastolf Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I used to be in 873 Movement Light Sqaudron RE, TAVR. I've put together the following flikr page, may be of interest. I haven't had time to do much more than upload photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/873movementlight/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 Mastolf, I've just seen your Flickr photos - I joined in 1978 and yet I hardly recognise anyone in the photos, apart from the group photo taken at Tidworth in 1976 - Captain Proud with his dog and Corporal Smallpeace, third from the left back row! Mind you I never got issued with No2s and we never wore them when I was in 873, even when we marched up Action High Street for Rememberance Day. When did you leave 873? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Shopland Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I used to be in 873 Movement Light Sqaudron RE, TAVR. I've put together the following flikr page, may be of interest. I haven't had time to do much more than upload photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/873movementlight/ Thanks for sharing the photos. I had not realised they were using the light so long after WW2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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