My Collection: Philips MA90

Manufacturer Philips
Catalogue Number (model) MA90 OO*1/S
Wattage 90W
Lamp-Type SOX
Gear None (remote)
Photocell Zodion SS4/5
IP Rating (when new) IP54
Date Of Manufacture ~~/08/1990
Date On Photocell Socket ~~/03/1991
Date On Photocell ~~/01/~~~~
Date Acquired 14/05/2024
Restoration Status Cleaned
Collection Number #38

This was the first lantern of the award-winning Philips MA Sox series to enter my collection, on the 14th May 2024. It was gifted to me from AgentHalogen_87s collection; it runs 90W SOX. Sadly, the bowl was damaged during transit, but the lantern itself is okay. The distinctive shape of the GRP canopy and acrylic bowl make it an icon of the UK, and they were even seen around Europe! They can come in both integral and remote-geared versions, this being the latter.

From above, the lantern would look fairly faceless, if it wasn't for the Philips logo engraved onto the GRP.

...But from underneath it's significantly more recognisable.

A new bowl is soon-to-be sourced for the MA90. Thankfully, the lamp survived the impact.

An August 1990 date compass is engraved onto the bowl.

Upon opening the MA90 by undoing all four side-clips, the 90W SOX lamp is boldly visible.

An identification sticker is positioned towards the back of the canopy.

Being a 90W SOX lantern, most of the lantern's length is reserved for the lamp. Due to this, all the wiring, photocell socket and lamp-holder are within a small area at the back of the lantern.

This is also where the spigot is secured to the canopy via four bolts.

The 90W SOX lamp:

The photocell is quite unusual. Inside, the sticker states it's an SS5, but the text on the base begs-to-differ.

I'm guessing this is a Zodion SS4 with the wrong sticker.

I fitted the lantern to an outreach bracket in August 2024.