steam generator

[cletrac (RIP)]

I noticed this Alco steam generator on ebay and found it interesting. It seems it's a steam engine driving a generator to charge batteries for wireless sets. I'd never heard of it before. It's at about $1400 right now.

[Ron Pier]

Yes indeed. These small type were developed for SOE. Larger versions came with a chimney and used in the Jungle I believe. Rather a whiff of smoke than a noisy engine. Ron

http://www.campx.ca/WWIIClandestine.html

http://www.royalsignals.org.uk/photos/steam.htm

[Mike K]

That is in amazing condition, look as if it has never been used . I have heard of one or two of them in collectors hands here .

A interesting book to read if you are into covert operations is The Jungle is Neutral by F Spencer Chapman . He wrote about these steam generators in use in Malaya . He spent much of his war living with the Chinese communist fighters in Malaya . He was one of the UK group who helped set up the commando school at Wilsons Prom. here in Victoria . After the school, he was sent up to Malaya , arriving just before the Japanese invasion . He took to the jungle and lived the whole occupation as a guerilla fighter. It was only near the wars end, his group of survivors made contact with the outside world and they managed to arrange drops of equipment , the radio sets and steam generators he mentions .

[charlie fitton]

I covet that , and would easily pay that for it.

The whole unit was supposed to fit in the boiler, and was vitually silent when running to charge batteries. Bits of stick for fuel.....

Westbury himself was involved in the design, I'm to believe.

Can you post the ebay link please...

[cletrac (RIP)]

ebay link--

[charlie fitton]

I'd buy that in an instant...

f

[Tim Bell]

I have one - they're very nice bits of kit - unfortunately I've not got the boiler for it.

I bid on a complete one for sale in Australia a few years ago - I didnt win and it eventually sold for around £3,500.

One day, hopefully will find the boiler.

Does mean I can go to Steam rallies with my own steam engine!

Tim

[Blackpowder44 (RIP)]

This is my steam generator,the type mentioned by Ron, I have included the official description of it. if you need any more info do please contact me, This set in its box weighs 100 Lbs. and I was very lucky to meet a signaller who serves in force 136 in Burma and he recognised this set and told me that getting enough dry wood to power up the steam was very difficult in the Naga Hills of Burma and that they requested an air drop of pedal generators instead of the one shown. The Naga ladies would pedal away all day while the men were out spying on the Japs. So in his words, In some long houses and headmans huts in Northern Burma you may still find mint unused steam generators, John.

[Stewart Loy]

Originally Posted by charlie fitton

I'd buy that in an instant...

Charlie,

It sounds like your vacation plans are shaping up ... nicknack shopping in Burma!

[Mike Cecil]

While I was a curator at the AWM, we had one of the ALCO steam generators donated, with 99% confirmed service in Borneo. It was in very good condition, but lacked the boiler, and peripherals. I think ALCO stood for Arthur Lions Company? Others may confirm that. There was at least one that was owned by an Australian collector that had a repro boiler, etc, and was demonstrated at militaria gatherings from time to time.

A excellent article appeared some years ago in a UK magazine about them, their construction, operation and use.

The Australian SRD equipment lists the steam generator deployment 'pack' as an all up weight of 127 pounds, packed into 3 containers. The 'pack' included spares such as tubing, gaskets, etc plus batteries, distilled water, and so on.

The Australia SRD found that they were something of a problem to keep going, as finding dry combustible wood in the jungle was just about impossible: there are references to same in 'Operation Semut 1' by Bob Long and in 'Silent Feet'.

Mike C

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

. I think ALCO stood for Arthur Lions Company? Others may confirm that.

Close enough Mike, actually spelt Lyon. I have a small ALCO charging set made for the RAF, with an overhead valve engine made by J.A.P. under the Alco name.
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Arthur_Lyon_and_Co