The timeline from design to mass production on the Cookers, Portable, No. 2 (Mark 2) Stoves:
A reasonably complete timeline can be derived from the following sources:
5.***** Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Quarterly Reports on Research Work and Experiment; and
6.***** Chief Inspectorate of Stores - Didcot, Fortnightly reports showing new patterns, etc., under consideration with progress to date.
RAOC Quarterly Reports:
Item No:* 86
Objective Requirements:* Cookers, Portable, No. 2
Research and Experimental items in hand and contemplated:* Re-design
Progress and Position on 31 Dec 1942: "Modified designs have been produced incorporating a simplified burner & adaptation of the cases to retain the reservoirs in position.* Experiments are partially successful and are being continued."* Link:*
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...6/1370?r=3&s=1
Progress and Position on 31 March 1943: "...Experimental patterns are on trial and reports are awaited." Link:*
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...6/1363?r=3&s=1
Progress and Position on 30 June 1943: "Modified designs have been approved and supplies ordered."* Link:*
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...6/1357?r=3&s=1
Chief Inspectorate of Stores - Didcot:
Item No.: 15 (16 for No. 3 Cooker)
Cat No.:* JA 0275 (JA 6483 for No. 3 Cooker)
Designation:* Cookers, Portable No. 2
Requirement:* To re-design to make suitable for leaded petrol
Progress on 2 Oct 1943:* "No 2. - Production held up for want of certain raw materials."
**************************** "No 3. - Production proceeding. 1000 a week expected after 6 Oct 43"
Link:*
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...6/1819?r=3&s=1
Progress on 16 Oct 1943:* "No. 2 - Production in hand"* Link:*
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...6/1817?r=3&s=1
Unfortunately the rate of production for the No. 2 Mark 2 is not stated and I have not found any concrete information regarding a date that the Mark 2s got into the hands of the troops.* The following document does seem to indicate that at least some Mark 2 stoves had been issued by 26 Jan 1944
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...88/376?r=0&s=1