Note: as this will take more than an hour or so to upload, please be patient and wait with your input until I’m finished. I will clearly state that I’m done. /Stefan Järkeborn Content Introduction Soldier’s stoves “Military Trangia” Esbit 27 Optimus 91 Tor Optimus 85 Loke Trangia 25-3 KAP Arctic Optimus 11 Explorer Primus Omnifuel Primus Techno Trail Primus Omnifuel Military Edition Optimus Crux Lite - SOLDATKÖK 09 Optimus Crux Lite PM - SOLDATKÖK 10 Unit’s stoves British Military Mk II Optimus Un-named (KOKUTRUSTNING 10 /S) Optimus 154 W Optimus 535 Optimus 55 Optimus 155W Optimus 181 F Optimus 182 Optimus 1 (and 5) Optimus 00, Radius 21 and Primus 210. Punker D.2 Optimus 8 RF Primus 341 Sp Optimus 111 Optimus 111B Svea 158 Furnaces Optimus 510 Optimus 515 Optimus 531, Radius 39 Sievert “3-burner” Radius 340 and Primus 349 ”The odd ones” Meta 75 Primus 3 “The really, really old ones…” “The unsolved ones…”
Introduction This work began as a memo I prepared for one of the seminars during the 2008 Primus meet. Already at that time I said I would finish the job and also to do an English version. Since then I have also continued to gather more information during discussions with fellow collectors, rummaging through the shelves in surplus stores and keeping an eye on what is actually still being introduced within the Swedish Armed Forces. I do not pretend to be able to present the once-and-for-all complete list. I still find new facts, and the major problem is that the data in the database used (unclassified, but not easily accessible) appears to have been transformed from an older system in the mid 1960’s and that only the equipment still in use at that time was included. This means that one only rarely finds proof regarding stoves that you couldn’t find still in the inventory in 1966. Another consequence is that the year that the stove was included in the present database (a work that apparently went on between 1966 and 1969 ) was used as “Year of introduction”. (1) For new stoves we know the exact year of introduction, but for the older ones we only know that it was before 1966. In some instances the only way to find out the introduction is indirect through a set of equipment that the item was part of. And, since only the latest edition of that set is shown in the data base, the date could very well be earlier. Another dilemma is that the database is almost never crystal-clear about which stove that actually hides behind the military designation. For example I have found at least six different stoves with the designation “Kerosene Stove, 1-flame”. In many cases it’s a real detective’s work to figure out which stove that hides behind the designation. Sometimes the spare parts associated with the stove are the only clue. Another issue is that the military administration did not really care who actually produced the stoves as long as they fulfilled the same requirements. Optimus 00, Radius 21 and Primus 210 do all share the same designation for example. When the database was established in 1966, the only supplier left for kerosene stoves in Sweden were Optimus, so pretty much everything goes under that brand name, especially the spares. It is normally only the stoves centrally procured for military and civil defence units that are included in the following list. In a few cases I have proof for stoves bought locally by various units, and have included these stoves. For example the very popular “One-man stove Ranger” (Optimus 91) was only issued to – you guessed it – ranger units, so many other units bought small numbers of all sorts of civilian Trangias (for the officers at least). And yes, there are some examples of gasoline stoves, even if they are rare. It appears that it was mainly the Civil Defence units that to some extent used gasoline stoves. Of course the alcohol burner stoves are included as well. It should also be noted that during the cold war most government agencies had to some extent their own wartime materiel stored (including the state railway system and power supply authorities) but since it’s only the Armed Forces and the Civil Defence that I have been able to trace, that’s what included here. I have also included the big appliances typically used as heaters by medical units rather then as stoves. The rationale for this is that it’s many times hard to draw a line between the types. (Besides, stovies tend to like anything that produces a large flame and runs on liquid fuel.) This also touches the main uses of the stoves/heaters; first as the individual soldiers stove, second as reserve stove on platoon level when warm food from field kitchens are nor available (typically Optimus 111), third as the single source to heat food for example in ranger units and small naval vessels (typically Optimus 535), and finally as heaters for large amount of warm water and for sterilizing medical instruments in medical units (typically Optimus 531). A word about the designations: Where possible I have included them, but I have not intended to include the full list of sets where the stove is only one of the items. For example the Optimus 535 “Military” turns up in at least a dozen different sets. The first four digits in the M-number designates a group of supplies, in this case most often M2824 – “stoves, heaters and kitchenware”. (2) The following three digits give you the group of items belonging to a single stove, for example M2824-001xxx is the one-man-stove issued to all soldiers commonly known as “Military Trangia”. The last three digits designate the actual item belonging to that stove or a spare part. As an example M2824-001119 is the alcohol burner for the mentioned “Military Trangia”. In some rare cases an F-number is used, designating the supplier. F5119-xxx xxx is for example the number used on spares supplied by Optimus. Sometimes a stove already in use could get a whole new M-number, typically if it was re-packed with a different set of spares and accessories. I have normally only included photos of the stoves that are not the commonly known -of-the shelf - types. All photos by the author if not stated otherwise. (1) Or longer, see the Optimus 1. (2) Another example is “M2741” where you find pressure lanterns.
“Military Trangia” (3) ENMANSKÖK MT (One-man stove with accessories) M2824-001001-4 introduced before 1966. The classic “Military Trangia” consists of KOKKÄRL M/40AL (mess kit M/40 aluminum) M7479-101000-3 or KOKKÄRL M/40RFR (mess kit M/40 stainless steel) M7479-102000-2, the SPRITBRÄNNARE (Alcohol burner) M2824-001119-4, the VINDSKYDD M STÖD (windscreeen with supports) M2824-001129-3. A 3 dl flat, semi-transparent plastic bottle for the alcohol is also included (FLASKA 3DL SPRIT 35 M7061-800600-0). Normally a steel three-part cutlery set M/29 and the green plastic drinking cup was stored inside the mess kit (often together with a rag to stop them from rattling around). The windscreen and Alcohol burner were added to the older mess kit in the early 1960’s due to a wish to transform the mess kit into a stove. Since there was one stove produced for every man in the whole cold war Armed Forces (including the Home guard) plus the Civil defence units a fair estimate is that around 900000 sets was produced of all the types. Taking the sheer number of sets procured, it is not surpising that they were made by several different firms. Without a claim that I have found them all I have at least seen parts of sets stamped “SVEA”, “Gense”, “A-L E” and “Trangia”. (the “NC” stamp – for example “NC 65” – is a SVEA marking and designates the production year). Trangia only made burners, while you can find SVEA stamps on all parts. All military one-man-stoves was painted green and in steel or aluminium. Mess kit intended for civil defence units were often of the un-painted alumium type. The kind of military mess kit that KOKKÄRL M/40 represents has been in use in many armies since the middle of the 19th century. The first Swedish model of the same type was the KOKKÄRL M/1856 (mess kit m/1856) in tinned copper. (4) The bail and hook was introduced in the SOLDATKOKKÄRL M/1887 (soldier’s mess kit m/1887) which means that all the functions of the Mess Kit M/40 was already in place. The first Swedish mess kit in aluminium was the KOKKÄRL M/1895 which was in use until replaced by the m/40. (5) There is an older, original, burner mentioned in the database, BRÄNNARE M2824-051169-8, but this was replaced by the current burner also used in the ENMANSKÖK JÄGARE MT even before 1966. What this old burner looked like is un-certain, but it could very well be the more rounded type that is kept at the Army Museum in Stockholm and also at the Defence Museum in Boden. A slightly different model of this more rounded burner is in the authors collection. On this one, the burner insert has as spring underneath and pops up when the lid is removed. As this burner lacks the rim necessary for use in the “One-man stove Ranger” the old burner was replaced with the introduction of that stove. The older burner is made of noticeably thinner brass sheet then the later version. The “One-man stove” is now being replaced by the “Soldiers Stove 09” and “Soldiers Stove 10”. ENMANSKÖK MT (One-man stove with accessories) M2824-001001-4 including KOKKÄRL M/40RFR (mess kit M/40 stainless steel) and FLASKA 3DL SPRIT (Bottle 3 dl alcohol). Possibly the early burner BRÄNNARE M2824-051169-8. Photo curtsey of the Defence Museum in Boden. Another variant of the early burner BRÄNNARE M2824-051169-8. This has the military “Three Crowns” stamp in the bottom of the burner. The centre part of the burner rises when the lid is un-screwed. The brass sheet used is thinner than in the later SPRITBRÄNNARE (Alcohol burner) M2824-001119-4. These old burners lack the “Trangia rim” necessary for it to be used in the ENMANSKÖK JÄGARE MT (One-man stove Ranger a.k.a Optimus 91, see below). A trial model windscreen for the ENMANSKÖK MT (One-man stove with accessories) made of galvanized steel. Photo curtsey of the Army Museum in Stockholm. Another prototype model of the windscreen with the model year 1959. This is close to the final version. Photo curtsey of the Army Museum in Stockholm. The development of the mess kit. From left to right; M/1887 (or possibly M/1888), M/1895 and M/40. (3) It’s never called that in Sweden though, here it’s called “enmanskök”, one-man-stove, or normally by the soldiers themselves “snuskburken” (the filthy jar). I guess the “Military Trangia” name stems from the fact that the military burner looks like the Trangia burner, and sometimes the military burner was produced by Trangia and hence marked as such. (4) To be absolutely correct, round types of tinned copper vessels have been issued to the soldiers of the Swedish army at least since early the 19th century (but probably much longer) and used as both water bottle and if needed as a cooking pot. (5) Skoog, Martin (editor), Mat för en hel armé, Armémuseum 2012
Esbit 27 KOKUTRUSTNING, ENMANS M/1957 (cooking equipment, one-man m/1957), M-number un-known (if any), introduced 1957. Very little is known about the use of this stove. The only time the author have ever seen one in real life was at a temporary exhibition at the Army Museum in Stockholm in 2012. (6) This stove was probably only used in very few numbers and for a short time, probably just for the trials that resulted in the procurement of Optimus 91 (ENMANSKÖK JÄGARE MT). By the time the current database used for this article was established in 1966 the KOKUTRUSTNING, ENMANS M/1957 was no longer part of the inventory. It can be noted that the Optimus 91 shows a distinct likeness with the Esbit 27 stove. The stove exhibited at the Army Museum has “Esbit” engraved on the lid. The sealed pattern stove also in the museum collection is registered as consisting of eight parts; 1 alcohol burner, a two-part wind screen, 2 pots, (1 and 1,5 litres), 1 frying pan/lid, marked "Esbit", 1 leather strap and 2 grips. (7) It is noted that the alcohol bottle is missing. The sealed label is signed on April 16, 1957 and the Esbit 27 has been donated by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). KOKUTRUSTNING, ENMANS M/1957 (cooking equipment, one-man m/1957), here from the Army Museum in Stockholm temporary exhibition “Mat för en hel armé” in 2012. The Esbit 27 is exhibition item “84”, and next to it is item “86” Optimus 91. The similarities are striking. The sealed pattern Esbit 27 in the Army Museum. Photo curtsey of the Army Museum in Stockholm. (6) In the mentioned temporary Army Museum exhibition and its catalogue this stove is called JÄGAKÖK M/1957 (Ranger stove m/1957). In this article the designation used is the one on the sealed pattern label attached to the stove, i.e. “One-man cooking equipment m/1957”. (7) Yes, you are right; this makes it nine parts.
Optimus 91 Tor ENMANSKÖK JÄGARE MT (One-man stove Ranger with accessories) M2824-051001-3, introduced before 1966 (and later then 1957). This stove was issued to ranger units of all branches instead of the regular “One-man stove” (Military Trangia). It consists of a two-part windscreen, a 1 litre pot and a 1.5 litre pot, the lid/frying pan, the grip, a sling, and the same burner as in the ENMANSKÖK MT. Even if it’s not part of this kit, a Ranger soldier would have been issued a 1 litre plastic bottle for the alcohol (and often also the 3 dl bottle also issued with the ENMANSKÖK MT). You can find the stove with producer marking “L&L” (with a production year, for example “L&L 76”),“Trangia” (at least on the grip and burner), “Svea”, “OPTIMUS” and also un-marked. I have not studied the ENMANSKÖK JÄGARE MT in depth, so other manufacturers are possible. (8) In the database is a tray/adaptor mentioned that makes it possible to use the smaller, civilian Trangia burner (BRICKA JÄGARKÖK, M2824-051199-5, introduced in 1998). It is hard to say why this was needed. It could not possibly have been due to any shortage of the original burner. The Army Museum catalogue for the “Mat för en hel armé” exhibition in 2012 mentions the Swiss Meta 50 stove as an inspiration when the decision was made to procure this kind of stove. The Meta 50 was probably never been used by any units in the Swedish Armed Forces, but it seems very likely that it was studied. One of the (at least) two Meta 50 belonging to the Army Museum has been handed over from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and has therefore most likely been used for trials. (9) Still, the Optimus 91 looks much more like the Esbit 27 then the Meta 50. (8) Even though this stove is known under its civilian name “Optimus 91” it could very well be that it was originally designed by Svea. The ones marked “Svea” appears to be the oldest ones whereas the ones marked L&L probably were produced in the 1970’s. Sets with the “Optimus” marking are rare. (9) The other known example in the Army Museum is registered as donated by a named person (possibly an officer) and designated “one-man-stove for ranger ca 1956”. This is the museums description, not an official Armed Forces name, but it gives a clear indication both to its use and that the time in use coincides with the trials with Esbit 27.
Optimus 85 Loke ENMANSKÖK M/87 MT (One-man stove m/87 with accessories) M2824-052011-1, introduced in 1987. This stove was interned for use by ranger units in the Arctic and did not replace the “One-man stove Ranger” (Optimus 91 Tor) at ranger units in the south. Basically this is a “One-man stove Ranger” with a kerosene burner instead of an alcohol one. The aluminum parts are the same apart from the lower wind screen that have a hole for the control wheel and no supporting ring for an alcohol burner. (Later on the lower wind screens produced had both these features, giving the possibility to use both burners.) One-man stove m/87 could very well be one of the few examples of stoves developed to a military specification in Sweden. The Optimus 85 Loke appeared in military use at the same time as it started to be sold on the civilian market. Given the normal procurement time associated with this kind of equipment - several years – this could not have happened if the military orders had not been made well in advance of the start of the actual production. The black tank –which is the only “new” item on the Optimus 85 – was patented in 1986. (10) Normally the aluminum parts are marked “OPTIMUS 1987” and with the “three crowns” stamp. (10) AB Optimus was granted Swedish patent SE-8503159-9 on 27 December 1986 (application date 26 June 1985).
Trangia 25-3 STORMKÖK MT (“Storm Stove” with accessories) M2824-056011-7, introduced in 1984. This is the sole type of Trangia stove that has been centrally procured. And the use is actually in C-130 Hercules crew survival pack. (Space is obviously not an issue in that case.) You can probably find a number of Trangia types in the stores of many units, but in that case they have been bought locally by that unit.
KAP Arctic According to information on internet from former arctic rangers, the KAP Arctic combination of a Trangia cook set and a Optimus 111T burner was used during trials in the far north at least around 1999-2000. (11) This could have very well have been a local initiative. No official designation is known. (11) http://www.utsidan.se/forum/showthread.php?t=22522
Optimus 11 Explorer FOTOGENKÖK 1-LÅGIGT (Kerosene Stove 1-flame) M2824-223010-7 introduced in 1997. This is the Optimus multi-fuel stove, not the forerunner to Optimus 111. It was probably only used in small numbers by the Airborne Rangers.
Primus Omnifuel FLERBRÄNSLEKÖK /T (Multi-fuel stove) M2824-415011-3, introduced in 2002. A stove only used by units abroad, for example in Afghanistan and Kosovo. As far is known this is an off-the-shelf Primus Omnifuel and it has now been replaced by FLERBRÄNSLE KÖK 08/K.
Primus Techno Trail SOLDATKÖK 07/K (Soldiers Stove Complete) M2824-062011-9 introduced in 2007. This LP-gas stove appears to have been a gap-filler and later replaced by Soldier Stove 09. Apart from the burner it contained a 1 litre pot and was kept in a mesh bag. Not later than 2012 it was decided that it should only be used as long as the present numbers lasted, and by 2013 this stove was most likely removed from all units.
Primus Omnifuel Military Edition FLERBRÄNSLE KÖK 08/K (Multi-fuel Stove 08 Complete) M2824-063011-8, introduced in 2008. Multi-fuel Stove 08 is intended for use by forces abroad, typically in Afghanistan. This stove is still in use and it may only be handed out after an Armed Forces HQ decision, and special introduction training must be conducted. The main difference between the regular of-the-shelf Omnifuel and the Military edition is the special Service Pack and the wind screen. Apart from Service Pack the stove contains the regular spares i.e. the Primus special tool, all the three jets (28, 37 and 45) and Primus Silicone Grease for the pump. The Service Pack contains an extensive set of spares, including among other things one each of the three jets, a fuel line, a control spindle, three cleaning needles and parts for the non-return valve. In the complete set for Multi-fuel Stove 08 is also included a Primus Litech Cooking set, containing one 1,7 and one 2,1 litre pot, a lid and a handle. The instructions mention that the cook-set could be either the hard anodized with non-stick coating or stainless steel. Sometimes the Primus Litech Super set is included instead. This set also contains a frying pan; otherwise it is the same as the ordinary Litech set. The wind screen is made of flame-proof cloth and has a pocket in one end and a steel hook in the other. The cloth is placed under the stove (with one leg in the pocket) to give a stable base on snow or sand. The cloth is then folded upwards and hooked onto the pot to protect the burner from the wind. The burner can be packed in the folded windscreen during transport. The possible fuels described in the instructions are LP Gas, White Gas (Coleman fuel), kerosene, car gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. PL Gas and White Gas are recommended, vehicle petrol should only be used in exceptional cases due to the harmful additives (and leaded petrol should never be used) and diesel oil may be used if no other fuel is available due the necessity to clean the stove frequently.
Optimus Crux Lite - SOLDATKÖK 09 SOLDATKÖK 09, K (Soldier Stove 09, Complete) M2824-064011-7, introduced in 2009. This Stove is intended to replace the KOKKÄRL M/40 (mess kit M/40), the ENMANSKÖK MT (One-man stove with accessories) and the SOLDATKÖK 07 (Soldier stove 07). The Soldier Stove 09 requirement is that it should be a simple to use, reliable, commercially-of-the-shelf (COTS) product. The system requirement states: “The overall system requirement is to maintain the soldier’s ground force- and surviving ability during shorter (72 hours) times. This will be possible primarily by securing a high capability to boil water. The Soldier stove 09, C shall fulfil the specific requirements on mission and environment that is put on the soldier and his capability to accomplish the operation during time, firstly regarding crucial elements for the endurance, e.g. the capability to maintain the fluid balance and the intake of energy giving food. The Solider stove is to be used by all personnel after training. Simplicity in handling is to be obtained.” (12) The System Philosophy is described in the following way: “The Soldier Stove 09, C shall be built up from experienced technology and standard parts or already developed components. The Soldier stove 09, C should be constructed in a way that no vital components need to be replaced or repaired during the lifetime of the Soldier stove 09, C. If a replacement of vital components must be done, the changing must be simple.” (13) The two main components are the Optimus Crux Lite LP-gas burner and an alcohol burner with a simmering ring. The alcohol burner is placed in what looks like the wind shield of the Trangia Mini stove. It is the alcohol burner that makes this stove able to meet the system requirements that the stove should work in the temperature span from -40 degrees Celsius to + 50 degrees Celsius as the LP-gas canisters are not recommended for use below 0 degrees Celsius. Included in the kit are a 1.0 litre and a 0.8 litre pot. There is also an aluminium sheet windshield, a 0.4 litre fuel bottle, fire steel, folding plastic cup (14) , titanium cutlery set, tin opener and water purification tablets. In the kit there is a fire resistant cloth to be used as ground and snow sheet under the burners and as a “kitchen towel”. Finally there is a wire suspension so you can hang the pots over open fire. It could be noted that the military instruction booklet has instructions in both Swedish and English. Both the alcohol burner wind shield and the Crux Light burner provides rather unstable support for the pots, and this is (at least partly) rectified in the successor; Soldier Stove 10. In the autumn 2013 it was decided that the Soldier Stove 09 should not be used anymore and cannibalised with suitable parts kept for the Soldiers Stove 10 that had been in use in parallel for some years. The major parts of Soldier Stove 09; aluminium sheet windshield, a 0.4 litre fuel bottle, alcohol burner, Optimus Crux Lite gas burner, a 1.0 litre and a 0.8 litre pot and the “Trangia Mini stove” wind shield. The accessories for Soldiers Stove 09; fire steel, manual, Optimus titanium cutlery set, tin opener, water purification tablets, fire resistant cloth, wire suspension and folding cup. The military edition Optimus Crux Lite burner. (12) FMV, SPECIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS 11842 B, AK Gem 37 130:29425/09, 2009-06-17 Soldier stove 09, C, page 6 (13) FMV, SPECIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS 11842 B, AK Gem 37 130:29425/09, 2009-06-17 Soldier stove 09, C, page 6 (14) This very practical and cheap folding cup has been privately bought by most soldiers (and used as gift by many units) since at least the early 1980’s. At last is has become standard issue.
Optimus Crux Lite PM - SOLDATKÖK 10 SOLDATKÖK 10 (Soldier Stove 10) M2824-064021-6, introduced 2010 (or possibly a few years later – not later then 2013.) The Soldier Stove 10 is a development of the Soldier Stove 09; new parts, simplified and probably a bit cheaper. The main components are still the same alcohol burner but the gas burner is now the Optimus Crux Lite PM with the built in piezo-lighter. An alcohol burner pot-adaptor that that makes the pots fit on the wind shield of the Mini Trangia had been added. The aluminium wind shield on the Soldier Stove 09 has been replaced with the Wind Shield 10. The Wind Shield 10 can be used with both burners. The two pots are now both 0.8 litres but one of them has a heat exchanger and is mainly intended for boiling water due to the difficulty to control the heat. Furthermore the titanium cutlery set has been replaced with a simple plastic “spork” and the water purification tablets have been removed. Finally, a folding plastic tripod stand for the PL-gas canister has been added. Otherwise it has the same content as the Soldiers Stove 09. Soldatkök 10; one mesh bag with pots and burner etc; one case with accessories – all packed in one bigger mesh bag. Mini-Trangia windshield with pot support, LP Gas burner, alcohol burner, 2 pots and Wind Shield 10 Optimus Crux Lite PM burner – military edition Accessories: spork (from Light My Fire), LPG gas tripod, fire steel (from Light My Fire), tin can opener, fire resistant cloth, alcohol bottle, folding cup, manual and wire suspension. The front page of the SOLDATKÖK 10 instruction booklet.
Units stoves British Military Mk II BENSINKÖK (Petrol stove) F4750-000106-9, introduced before 1966. These stoves were included when the Centurion tank was bought from Britain in the 1950’s. (15) A fair guess is that they were included in the original procurement as they can definitely be found in the inventory lists for the Centurion Mk X (Strv 101 in Sweden) and also for the Mk III and V upgraded with a 10,5 cm gun instead of the original 8 cm one (Strv 102). In the last upgrade of the Centurion tank in Sweden (Strv 104) in the 1980’s the Mk II stove was removed. Apparently replacement stoves were bought along the way, as the author has one “D.J.Morgan 1973" that without doubt is ex-Swedish Armed Forces. A Mk II stove from a Swedish Centurion tank. (15) 80 Centurion Mk II bought in 1953, 160 Mark V bought in 1955 and 110 Mk X bought in 1958.
Optimus Un-named (KOKUTRUSTNING 10 /S) FOTOGENKÖK (kerosene stove) M2824-111000-3, introduced before 1967. One on the few stoves in the Swedish Armed Forces that is not “Commercial, Of the Shelf”. The burner is the same roarer as in the Optimus 111, but the tank is special for this model. It reminds of the tank on the Optimus Campingo 2 with its rather short, transverse, pump. This tank is shorter the one on the Campingo 2. This stove is only used installed in the KOKUTRUSTNING 10 /S (Cooking equipment 10 /kit) M8210-111000-9 (introduced before 1968). This is a steel box with the equipment needed when cooking for 10 soldiers. It includes a 6 litre and a 4 litre pot with lids, a frying pan with detachable handle, a cook knife and a ladle. The grate is the pressed steel one from the Optimus 181/182 stoves. The kit also includes a spare burner, a small box with spares for the stove, a 5 litre can for kerosene, a 1 litre bottle for alcohol and a small filler can for the pre-heat alcohol. The other version of the KOKUTRUSTNING 10 is described under the Optimus 154W heading. The KOKUTRUSTNING 10 /S packing instruction found on the inside of the box lid. The KOKUTRUSTNING 10 /S with the 5 litre kerosene can that is included in the kit. The opened KOKUTRUSTNING 10 /S. The specially designed tank of KOKUTRUSTNING 10 /S with the same burner as on Optimus 111.
Optimus 154 W (KOKUTRUSTNING 10B /S) FOTOGENKÖK 1-LÅGIGT (Kerosene Stove 1-flame) M2824-204010-0, introduced in 1990. This stainless steel marine stove came into the inventory when a new version of the pre-1967 KOKUTRUSTNING 10 was introduced (see Optimus ”Special”). The KOKUTRUSTNING 10B/S (Cooking equipment 10B/kit) M8210-111110-6 was made to the same specs as its predecessor, i.e. cooking for 10 soldiers. Basically it contains the same equipment as the original KOKUTRUSTNING 10 (6 litre and 4 litre kettles, frying pan and so on) but have more kitchen tools including protective sleeves for the cook. The spares for the stove consist of a spare burner, a pump-valve tool and a fixed key. There are also assorted spares for the burner. All the spares are packed in a green plastic-cloth bag). A 5 litre can for kerosene; a 1 litre bottle for alcohol and a small filler can for the pre-heat alcohol are also included. The content of KOKUTRUSTNING 10B/S. The steel box containing the KOKUTRUSTNING 10B/S The inside of the KOKUTRUSTNING 10B/S with its Optimus 154. Here none of the cooking equipment is shown (apart from the pots). An instruction booklet illustration of the KOKUTRUSTNING 10B/S.
Optimus 535 FOTOGENKÖK 2-LÅGIGT (kerosene stove 2-flames) M2824-202020-1, date of introduction is actually not recorded but most likely before 1966. Information is a bit sketchy, but being the first of a number of 535, this is probably the ordinary, white enamel, Primus 535. As far as can be deducted from the database, it was only used in the MANSKAPSKÄRRA 921A MT (Crew Cart 921A with accessories) M5048-921013-9. FOTOGENKÖK 2-LÅGIGT (kerosene stove 2-flames) M2824-202030-0 introduced in 1970. This is the military version, painted in half-matt olive green, normally with red plastic fittings such as pump knob and control wheels. It was used in a number of guises (including in several types of small naval vessels) and here will just two of the most usually encountered be described. FOTOGENKÖK 2-LÅGIGT MT (kerosene stove 2-flames with accessories) M2824-202031-8 (introduced in 1984) is basically the Optimus 535 in a metal box with just room enough for the stove and a compartment for spares. The box also serves as windshield with foldable protection for the sides. The spares consist of two burners, spanners, a filler can and two tightening cones (Optimus part no 2346). The steel box of FOTOGENKÖK 2-LÅGIGT MT (kerosene stove 2-flames with accessories) containing a Optimus 535. The “Kerosene Stove 2-flames with accessories” consists of the steel box, the Optimus 535 stove and some spares including an extra burner. The spares are all stored in the compartment on the right hand side of the box. KOKUTRUSTNING 20 /S (Cooking equipment 20 /kit) M8210-112000-8) and KOKUTRUSTNING 20 JÄGARE /S (Cooking equipment 20 Ranger /kit) M8210-113010-6 (both introduced in 1983) contains equipment enough to cook for 20 soldiers. A Ranger platoon could have had two of these sets to be able to be self sustaining. Apart from the Optimus 535 the kit includes two 12 litre kettles, a large square frying pan covering both burners, an assortment of kitchen tools (kept in a plywood box), a 20 litre jerry can for kerosene and a 1 litre bottle for alcohol. The same amount of spares for the stove as in the FOTOGENKÖK 2-LÅGIGT MT kit is included. For the later “B” variant of KOKUTRUSTNING 20 /S, see under the “Optimus 155W” heading. Optimus 535 in the Cooking equipment 20 /kit. The steel box has no shelf like the later Cooking equipment 20B /kit. Cooking equipment 20 /kit. All the kitchen tools and spares for the stove are kept in the plywood box.
Optimus 55 FOTOGENKÖK 2-LÅGIGT (Kerosene stove 2-flames) M2824-203010-1 introduced in 1977. This stainless steel stove was used for fixed installation in smaller naval vessels such as transport cutters, sloops and patrol boats. These boots were to a major extent used by costal defense units supporting both mobile units and fixed costal artillery in the archipelago.
Optimus 155W FOTOGENKÖK 2-LÅGIGT (Kerosene stove 2-flames) M2824-205010-9 introduced in 1988. This stainless steel stove was produced mainly with the marine market in mind. In the armed forces it was procured when it was realized that more of the twin- burner stoves were needed and by then the Optimus 535 was no longer in production. Not least the Air Force new mobile air-base battalions received the new stove. The Optimus 155W were basically used in the same way as the Optimus 535 and also pretty much kitted in the same way. KOKUTRUSTNING 20 JÄGARE B/S (Cooking equipment 20 Ranger B /kit) M8210-114010-5 (introduced in 1990) is the Optimus 155W equipped equivalent to the earlier kit with the Optimus 535. The steel box for the “B” version had a shelf in it so the plywood box for the spares and the cooking utensils could be kept in the box when the stove was in use. In the earlier version this box had to be removed and put to the side. The “B” version also included a stand for the steel box. An instruction booklet illustration of the steel box for KOKUTRUSTNING 20 JÄGARE B/S including a Optimus 155W. An instruction booklet illustration: The shelf in the box of the more modern Cooking equipment 20B makes it possible to keep the utensils in the lower compartment of the box even if the stove is in use. An instruction booklet illustration: The Cooking equipment 20B has a folding stand included.
