Philips XGS104 (MI36) Lantern Installations

The Philips XGS104 (MI36) was the longer version of the Philips XGS103 (MI26), able to accept 55W SOX or 36W SOX-E lamps. The lanterns had a GRP canopy which materialised a distinctive shape. While the lanterns themselves could not be mounted post-top, a post-top spigot was available, contrasting the white GRP canopy with a grey aluminium. These lanterns can still be seen in-service in a variety of places. They were also sold as security lights.

Amington, Tamworth

They are still in service in great numbers in Tamworth, but this is soon to change. Tamworth Borough Council's building actually has them installed on it! They can be seen here.

This lantern (much like the XGS103) can also be mounted post-top, with an adjusted back canopy to include a mounting spigot. This one is just off Sandy Way, Tamworth.

County Drive, Tamworth

These ones are located on County Drive- or should I say, were. They're gone now, fallen victims to the LED replacement schemes. I was lucky enough to snap pictures before they went! If you look in the background, you can see a couple of 14W Holophane S-Lines, the council's residential LED lantern of choice!

A close-up shows the two-part photocell poking out of the canopy. Nearly all of the MI36s on this road have them.

As you can see, this lantern's canopy is where most of the worlds oxygen is produced...

Lichfield Industrial Estate

MI36s were also sold as security lights when they were on the market, so lots of businesses still have them, even if they don't work anymore... This one actually runs 35W SOX, unusual considering they were made longer for 55W SOX.

Lichfield

The next example has seen better days, it looks to have been reversed into by a van or car travelling down the footpath. It was enough to loosen the column's extension bracket, causing a noticeable bend.

The column's base has been wrapped tightly in electrical tape.

Despite the column's wounds, the lantern appears intact. In fact the 55W SOX lamp looks to be ok too!

Whittington

Chester Road in Whittington is (for now) home to several XGS104s. As is blatantly obvious in the following images, they are on borrowed time. In the foreground of column RR2's picture, a CU Phosco E950 is mounted on a 6m CU Ware column.

It's a shame, as the lantern looks ready to endure another four decades of service!

Column RR3 is the next XGS104 on this road. The exact same situation has occurred here too. With the new column, it's easier to see the XGS104's column is leaning backwards.

Column RR6 is in a similar situation to columns RR2 and RR3.

Column RR5 would have also hosted a Philips XGS104, but it was replaced in 2017 with a Thorn Beta 2.