My Collection: Simplex Aries (1)

The Simplex Aries comes in two versions, 35W SOX and 55W SOX. The easiest way to identify them is by the length of the lantern. The 55W version is noticeably longer than the 35W version, owing to the larger size of the SOX lamps. This lantern can come in either remote-geared or integral-geared versions, though the integral-geared version is quite rare. The canopy is made from GRP (fibreglass) with the bowl being composed from poly-carbonate. Finding one of these in good condition is extremely unlikely. Due to the materials they are made of, the GRP canopy is almost always tarnished, and the bowl yellowed. These lanterns are side-entry only and often accommodate 26W or 35W lamps, despite being made for the longer 55W lamps. This was the first Aries 55 to enter the collection. It has since been almost-fully restored, but may need a new bowl. It did run a 26W SOX-E lamp.

This beautiful lantern is my favourite in the collection! It was in great shape when I received it, only needing a clean up of the bowl and canopy to remove loose fibres, and a new coat of paint!

As you can see, There's a chunk of column still left in the lanterns mounting hole, and the large crack will need to be filled in! Due to the risk of damaging the canopy, I decided not to force the grub screws loose, or drill them out.

This is the lantern after its thorough clean up! After removing all loose fibres, the only thing left was to remove some of the bowls yellowing, I did so with light bleach in warm water, and submerging the bowl for a day. After I removed it, the bowl looked sufficiently less yellow (Seen in the image below!)

And here is the final product! With its final coat of spray paint, and fitted with a Zodion SS6 photocell. And in case you're wondering what it looks like fully lit up...