148B. Former RAF Newton Site, near Bingham, Nottinghamshire Located in what appears to be a small field but is actually cleared space from where housing for employees at the RAF base once stood, is a 5 m tubular steel column supporting an early 1970s' Thorn Gamma 6 55 Watt SOX lantern. No, this is not a misprint; the early version of this post-top lantern really was available with a 55 Watt SOX option. This must have been a very heavy lantern, owing to it accommodating a large 35 - 55 Watt SOX leak transformer in the base. Sadly, the installation's proximity to an adjacent bridleway has meant that its bowl has suffered slightly at the hands of ball bearing gun-wielding vandals; however, the installation is otherwise in good condition, despite being the only thing left standing following demolition of the old buildings.
The extended base and canopy sections of the lantern indicate that it was designed for 55 Watt lamps; the deep base also being a necessity, owing to size of the leak transformer housed within it.
The damage to the bowl can be seen clearly in this view. Originally painted black, the aluminium canopy and base shone in the early-morning late August sun.
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