A C Ford AC424 50w MBF lantern
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AC Ford AC424 50w MBF Lantern. From the 1960's, but of a rather dated design this delightful remote-geared, top-entry lantern is another gem that once came from the former AC Ford 'Peartree Lane Factory'. The lantern's canopy is typical AC Ford with the three raised lugs on the top of the casting (a feature that can still be seen in AC Ford's current AC730 lantern), and incorporates a wide brim above the bowl. There is no glass refractor ring fitted into the lantern because the lantern uses a prismatic glass bowl to distribute the lamplight onto the road surface below. This lantern came from Rugeley in Staffordshire after it fell victim to the early stages of the Staffordshire PFI scheme for lighting renewal in the County. Rugeley was a little unusual in having 50w MBF (ES cap) mercury lamps in its streetlighting, rather than the more common 80w/125w BC.3-pin mercury lamps associated with these types of lanterns. It can only be assumed that this was done to keep the cost of electricity for streetlighting as low as possible for the local Council and its rate-payers. It would seem that both AC Ford and REVO were happy to modify their fittings with Edison screw lampholders in order to supply streetlighting that complied with the local council's unusual requirements. Interestingly, most of these AC424's were mounted on top of AC Ford fibreglass columns, some of which are still in situ but now have modern illuminairies fitted.
The AC Ford AC 424 in the collection, seen in acquired condition.
The AC424 as it appears in a 1960's A C Ford catalogue. My thanks to Colin Grimes for this picture.
AC Ford AC424 50w MBF lantern on an AC Ford bracket in Rugeley, Staffordshire.
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Copyright(c) 2005 Claire Pendrous. All rights reserved.
Please note that all pictures are by Claire Pendrous, or are part of the Claire Pendrous photographic collection unless otherwise stated; none of these images can be copied without obtaining prior permission.