Beach Landing Light

motto · #1 19-07-12, 21:46

Hi all.

I recently acquired a large (about 15" dia) floodlight mounted in a semi-circular yoke that allows it to be aimed in any direction, up,down as well as left, right.

The light is rather old and well made and could easily be WW2 military in origin. I have a vague memory of seeing something rather similar many years ago and that it was referred to as a 'beach landing light'.

Does anybody have any information on such an article.

David

Mike Cecil · #2 24-07-12, 19:03

Hi Dave,

Yes, somewhere I have some info.... have to locate it.

In brief: came in a wood box with steel fittings to allow it to be carried along by two people using long flat timbers. The contents were complete with steel cover for the glass, held on with three over-centre clips, and the light plus the tripod, which was a fold-up tubular tri-pod.

The position of the lamp in the light could be altered from the outside by the operator to produce a wide more diffused beam, or a narrow, intense beam. The light was directed by a detachable T shaped handle that slotted into the lamp base, and was held with a pin on a chain.

Voltage was 12 volt DC, but the large lamp was 400 Amp, so had to be attached to a battery with a battery generator/charger running. The only time I tried using mine without the gennie running, it 'killed' the battery within seconds! I mounted a QI headlamp spot light bulb onto a home made base that attached directly to the lamp mounting (without altering it). It worked fine, though I suspect the light intensity was less than the original. It was nevertheless impressive, with a significant reach - at four hundred yards, items in the adjacent paddock were clearly visible.

They were actually a 'BDL', standing for Beach Defence Light.

Mike C

motto · #3 01-08-12, 14:40

Thanks for the responses, I was beginning to doubt myself.
The light you describe Mike sounds a lot like what I have. I will have a closer look when I have time.

The light belonged to Trans Australia Airlines originally and that company used a fair bit of surplus WW2 military equipment over the years which was still in use when I started with them in 1966. C47's were still in daily service and their P&W 1830 engines and Hamilton Standard propellors were a common item around the place. A couple of the ground support rigs were powered by the magnificent Cadillac V8 side valves. This is part of the reason I suspected the light may have had a military origin.

Dave