REVO C13723S low-pressure sodium lantern. This lantern is from a range of similarly designed REVO lanterns that were once very popular with local authorities across the UK. These lanterns were available in a number of variants for different lamp wattages and applications. The C13723 is one of the most common examples to be found and was available as a top-entry (C13723T) or side-entry lantern (C13723S). The lantern is affectionally known as a 'Dalek' by collectors because the dimpling on the bowl ends looks a little like those on the BBC's fictional Dr Who 'Dalek' robots.

This example of a C13223S is one of several held in the collection, and originated from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. The lantern dates from 1958-9, and considering that it's nearly 50-years old, it's in very good condition and is totally original. Sadly, the perspex bowl has become 'milky' with age, but it's intact and should clean up quite nicely.

The C13723 is pictured in acquired condition with 'milky' bowl.

Access to the interior of the lantern is made by releasing two toggle-action clips at the side of the lantern, allowing the bowl to hinge down on its side mounted hinges; this is a gearless version, so has a very simple layout inside. Once the bowl is hinged open, the white-enamelled steel reflector plate on to which the lampholder is mounted can be hinged downward by releasing four 'captive' screws in the plate. Once hinged down access can be gained to the bracket mounting clamp and internal wiring.

With the bowl open, the vitreous enamelled reflector plate is clear to see. Fitted with a 90w SOX lamp, these lanterns were designed for use with 140w SO/H lamps. The keys give an idea of scale.

The dimpled bowl gave rise to the nick-name 'Dalek'; so christened by collector Bob Cookson.

The bowls on most 'Daleks' of this age are very brittle and easily break if mishandled. Unlike later generations of sodium lanterns such as the GEC Z9454 where the bowls are easily removed, the bowls on the Daleks are fixed to the hinges with screws and are very difficult to change over. Even if replacements were available, a broken bowl on a Dalek is almost certain to spell the end for the fitting and warrant replacement with a more modern lantern.

Here's an earlier example of a C13723, but unlike the example above this one has no round spigot mounting cast into the top of the fin for conversion to top entry mounting.

The REVO name is cast into the front of the canopy; the other example has the name 'R E V O England' cast into the top of the canopy.

A C13723S in situ; this one was on the A460 Cannock Road, North Wolverhampton. The green painted canopy suggests that it was once mounted on a former trolleybus traction pole, before being re-mounted onto the current column; once a common practice. Note that the back of the bowl has been damaged on this example.

Mounted on a REVO Monarch column close to the junction of Fichfield Road West and Broad Lane, Wolverhampton, is a C13723S 'Dalek' working at full brightness in August 2005. This was the last survivor of an installation of these columns and lanterns along Fichfield Road West where removal began as long ago as 1997.

Please take a look at the C13721S in the collection as a comparison.