Thorn Alpha-9 90w SOX 'shallow-bowled' geared lantern. A more unusual variant of the Thorn Alpha-9 because it looks like the remote-geared shallow bowled version; indeed many people with an interest in streetlighting might regard the Deep-bowled Alpha-9 as the 'geared' version of the Alpha-9 range. This less common version has the control-gear layed out differently inside of the canopy, allowing for the use of the short lampholder bracket so that the normal shallow bowl can fit on to the lantern without fowling the lamp.

As with all Alpha-9s, these lanterns are very simple in their design and construction, having no reflector plate above the lantern or metal rim to secure the vacuum-formed bowl against the underside of the canopy. Like the deep-bowled Alpha-9, the control-gear is mounted directly to the underside of the canopy using brackets and clamps, and has no gear-tray. Access to the lantern's interior is gained by releasing a large spring-clip under the rear canopy of the lantern, which allows the plastic bowl to hinge downwards on its front mounted hinge.

Until recently, I'd only ever seen examples of the shallow-bowled 'geared' Alpha-9 in North Wales, and had managed to acquire a Welsh example sometime ago' However the latest example to join the collection came from Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and was found complete and intact in a Council dumpster!

The ex-Nottinghamshire 'geared' Thorn Alpha-9 with Royce-Thompson S300 Photocell is seen following its discovery in a dumpster. The lantern appears to be in very good condition, although there's a slight indentation in the bottom bowl, which should come out with a little heat from my hairdryer!

The under-canopy control-gear arrangement. Note that the ballast on this shallow-bowled version is mounted transversely and is set well back into the deepest part of the canopy; the ignitor and capacitor are mounted separately, but allow for the use of the short lampholder bracket.

The under-canopy control-gear arrangement for the 'deep-bowl' Alpha-9. This lantern utilises a larger self-start Ballast, so doesn't require a seperate ignitor. Although this configuration protrudes further into the bowl area, the long lampholder bracket allows the lamp to clear the ballast by about 1½" (38mm).

A geared Alpha-9 on concrete bracket, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts, July 2005.

Please take a look at the Alpha 9 Deep Bowled 'geared' lantern and the Alpha-9 shallow bowled 'remote-geared' lantern in the collection as a comparison.