GEC ZD1172A SOX and MBF lanterns first switch on
These very unusual, but stylish lanterns were part of a very unorthodox range of lanterns produced by GEC in the 60's, and the lanterns themselves were made for more than a decade. They were designed by London and Upjohn and were shown displayed in the 'Posts and Posters' exhibition organised by the Council of Industrial Design, which was held in Battersea Park, London, in 1963 (comprising winners of the British Poster Design Awards alongside winning and commended entries in a CoID competition for the design of side street lighting fixtures).
These 2 lanterns were given to me by Jonny, and brought down to the lighting meet via Danny. I owe a huge thanks to them. The cones aren't original. I replaced both due to a small crack in the SOX lanterns cone, and a totally fake one on the MBF. Restoration included a painting of the internal crossbars and uprights for the lamp assembly, and a complete sand back and respray of the satin black, due to a bad repaint during service. The writing, once black on a white background, was reversed, so it was white writing on a black background. This way, the already fully known history, stays with the lantern.
Here the lanterns were both wired ready for their first power up since restoration finished. The old MBF gear dating to 1972, is very loud, but works very well too. the SOX gear, consisting of a Transtar ballast from 2004, and a capacitor from 1979, also work well, and in no time at all, both lanterns were at full brightness.

GEC ZD1172A SOX and MBF lanterns first switch on

These very unusual, but stylish lanterns were part of a very unorthodox range of lanterns produced by GEC in the 60's, and the lanterns themselves were made for more than a decade. They were designed by London and Upjohn and were shown displayed in the 'Posts and Posters' exhibition organised by the Council of Industrial Design, which was held in Battersea Park, London, in 1963 (comprising winners of the British Poster Design Awards alongside winning and commended entries in a CoID competition for the design of side street lighting fixtures).
These 2 lanterns were given to me by Jonny, and brought down to the lighting meet via Danny. I owe a huge thanks to them. The cones aren't original. I replaced both due to a small crack in the SOX lanterns cone, and a totally fake one on the MBF. Restoration included a painting of the internal crossbars and uprights for the lamp assembly, and a complete sand back and respray of the satin black, due to a bad repaint during service. The writing, once black on a white background, was reversed, so it was white writing on a black background. This way, the already fully known history, stays with the lantern.
Here the lanterns were both wired ready for their first power up since restoration finished. The old MBF gear dating to 1972, is very loud, but works very well too. the SOX gear, consisting of a Transtar ballast from 2004, and a capacitor from 1979, also work well, and in no time at all, both lanterns were at full brightness.

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Andy   [03 Jun, 2016 at 08:47 PM]
Great work, these look wonderful! What lamp are you running in the MBF?
Dave   [03 Jun, 2016 at 11:25 PM]
I have a choice of two lamps. The one running here is a venture 125w MBF lamp. The other option is a Sylvania lamp, which has gone a lovely green colour.
Slyspark   [11 Jan, 2017 at 11:57 PM]
I'd love to get my hands on one of those if anyone has a lead on any? Not fussed on the type, so long as it's wall bracketed like that. Let me know if anyone can help Smile
Danny   [12 Jan, 2017 at 12:06 AM]
If you plan on wanting to remove the ones i know of yourself you will not have any problem!
Slyspark   [12 Jan, 2017 at 12:09 AM]
Other than the fact they're at the other end of the country from me pretty much Sad
Danny   [12 Jan, 2017 at 12:13 AM]
There is that. But it depends how much you want them init Wink
Slyspark   [12 Jan, 2017 at 12:15 AM]
But with no guarantee of getting one if I did go to wherever they are, thats some risk!
Danny   [12 Jan, 2017 at 12:25 AM]
Well the LEDS will gey done round there late this year according to their schedule so ill keep my eyes peeled lol
Dave   [15 Jan, 2017 at 11:41 AM]
Great, another place going LED. If another MBF example gets removed, I'll be interested, I really do love this design.

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