AM stamped light unit

I have this slightly clearer image of a Holophane light set up.

Hello,

Sorry for the digging.

I’m quite interest by this holophane light have you enough pictures of them ?

Actium

It sounds very much like what you are describing is the ubiquitous “Holophane light” as used by pathfinders for marking drop zones in Normandy. No numerical designation appears on paper for this item that I know of.

everything you describe is congurent with this peice of equipment save for the 1942 date. It was not modified from an existing item but rather was developed specifically for marking drop zones and navigational waypoints and was not delivered until late April or May of 1944.

This is why the 1942 date you mention confuses me.

These lights were supplied to both US and British Pathfinders by the Air Ministry so this marking is correct as well.

I do not know about the leveling bubbles you mention. These do not seem to appear in period imagery I have seen.

the single threaded hole at the base of the lamp body is for mounting to the tripod. In American use this would be the LG-21 type as used with the M-227 signal lantern. I have seen a photograph from the immediate post war period of one of these in British use in Greece on a wooden tripod as well.

Take a look at these frame grabs from Signal Corps Footage of Lt Gene Williams’ Pathfinder team (508th PIR) North Withham, UK (May 1944)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a311/Skytroop/Holophane%20Light/untitled5a.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a311/Skytroop/Holophane%20Light/untitled5.jpg

A clearer image of the light may be seen in Gary Howard (2005) “America’s Finest II”

Unfortunately I could not seen any image or images of the light you describe. I am very interested if you could post them again or otherwise provide a link to them.

Sam Kimpton
Pathfinder Studies Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pathfinder_studies/

A better description

Light / Glass.

The light is composed of a thick, translucent glass (about the size of a soup can) mounted over a rather standard looking auto-like incandescent bulb. The top of the glass shade is “dappled” or “pebbled” in an irregular pattern, while the sides are ringed with sharp, faceted prisms.

MountThe mount is very simple; consisting of fairly heavy black painted brass with a single screw hole on the bottom
The glass “light cover” slips over the bulb and is secured by a black painted, brass ring that slides over the glass and is secured to the bottom of the mount by three regular-headed screws.

Markings.
The light has few markings besides the standard British Air Ministry (A crown M) and the date 1942. The light has a pronounced “rim” or “flange” on which two level indicators (bubbles) are affixed. NOTE, (the unit would not normally come with the bubble indicators these were added for another use.) On the underside of this flange is painted the numeral “6” and six small dots in two horizontal rows of three dots each (all in yellowish white).
Underneath the glass cover is the word “Holophane” On the side of the mount are two white, horizontal painted “stripes” each about 2 1/2 inches in length. This paint has faded/yellowed over time, but compares favourably with luminous paint from the period.This light was used as a landing airfield indicator and a drop zone indicator, with the bubbles attached. but this was a mod on what it was originally.

Interesting, the mooring light sat on a tripod but I don’t have any decent pictorial reference.

It now sits on a tripod apparently, but all I have is the image and cannot see where that would attach either!.
That is a very good point of yours ref the flying boat connection 682al, and that is the essence of the identification of this lamp fitting……where did it originate before being modified for use by airborne forces??.

Another possibility is that it is a Mooring Light from a flying boat.

Any clues as to how the lamp unit is meant to be mounted?