Hi all. I was alone in the office today and didn't feel like working, so naturally, started looking at my little pile of well used 111 Cobra Arctic stoves. No shelf queens here! I was struck by how varied they came. I guess that is the nature of interchangeable parts. Three different age cases, so lots of differences. For example, logos. Control key openings. Latches. Wrench holders. Retainer clips. One has a Hiker fuel tank and control knob. Several different fuel caps. I used the green case several times this past winter. It worked very well on kerosene in deep cold, although required a longer prime than my 111T. (I took the windshields off for pictures.) One small irritant was that the control spindle isn't actually pointed directly at the 3 o'clock position. Turns out, they're all like that! Strange. I can't seem to find a proper flame shot - I'll post it later. Anyways, stay safe! Tim
That burner was only delivered to the norwegian army as replacement burners. They were used to replace worn out burners in old 111. So the cases have earlier been 111T or plain 111.
Optimus Arctic 111C Are we confusing a 111D with a different 111C? From the expert, Staffan Ronn. Best Regards, Kerophile.
I've read Stefan's posts about these stoves, and learned alot. My post was intended to visually support his. Regarding it's model name, the Norwegian acquaintance from whom I secured these referred to them as Cobra Arctic. I'm good either way.
Hi @Timothy Epp . Yours is indeed a useful post and it is interesting to see the range of Op.111 cases and stoves which have had these “Cobra” burners fitted. The dark cased stove with the embossed case (and its tank) look quite early, perhaps mid 1950s. See how it compares to this Op.111: Optimus 111 from 1950s Best Regards, Kerophile
@Timothy Epp, all, I do appreciate Timothy's example 1 & 2. Re #3 with all due respect: This is a popular, interesting and often confused topic. As of late, *we strive for less confusion on topic. * I suggest, to avoid confusion going forward, #3 is not the best example. WHY... Re his "111 Cobra Artics" (aka 111Ds), his three examples shown above (#1, 2, 3). #1 & 2 show us: 111D: "as original" model 111_ that the Norwegian Army would retrofit with a 221CNA replacement burner (#3 does not reflect this). #3 (appears to me, corrections welcome) is a "111_ modified" (or bitsa): 111 case only (for control knob hole on right) 111C tank 111C control knob and Norge Defense 221CNA replacement burner. ---------------- The bright green of #3 gives 111C appearance (111C confusion, my impression). It's just my opinion, that stovies would do well to maintain the clear distinction / difference between 111C and so called 111D. a "111C can not be modified to this 111D." Further although the burner is "based on" Cobra burner, it is a 221CNA burner. To avoid confusion going forward, I only suggest avoid connecting or comparing to the 111C and maybe avoid Cobra references. again, this is just me. ------------------------- 111D , so called, has been established (and defined, here since 2008). "111 Artic version" has also been mentioned among other references / names. ---------------------- re "...Norwegian acquaintance … referred to them as Cobra Arctic." I hear ya, and as collector and fellow stovie we take that into consideration with: Norway member Lumberjack "111, 111T and this one With 221CNA burner was all called 111 by the military"
Military stoves do not only need new bruners. Tanks has to be replaced if they got any leak, because of reckless handling. Control knobs need to be replaced because they get missed. The box need to be replaced because broken hinges. So even if the burner is replaced, some other parts, or even all of them can also be replaced over time. That is the never ending¹ life of a military stove. ¹at some time they actually end, because the model is replaced by MSR XGK-EX.
@OMC, thanks for your explanation. I've only seen green tanks and knobs on Nova Hiker+ stoves. Did the 111C also come with green tanks?
I have en identical 111D with green tank like yours. I have seen 6-7 identical ones. I bought mine from one of the soldiers that tested 111D for the Norweigan army. The army offered them after testing for sale to the soldiers. I believe it is one of the prototypes Optimus presented to the Norwegian Army. According to Steffan Rønn they only gave burners to the army. I think that would be a major risk in getting a large contract. I still think the 111 with green tank is a prototype. its not a coincidence when you see as many as 6-7 around.
afoton thank you, you all may be making this more clear as we go here. I'm inclined to think the 2008 111D description referred to on this site holds: ""as original" model 111_ that the Norwegian Army would retrofit with a 221CNA replacement burner" but, from "the latest" we're now hearing, it seems I was maybe wrong to flag the green tank, read on ------------------------------------ Timothy, I've not seen green tank on 111C. Hang in there, in hindsight I misspoke because really vs green tank, more key is the steel tank (painted) vs brass and "original" case / burner with knob on left. 111_ as original models with control knob on right would be the only "models" that can be retro fitted with 221CNA replacement burner (converted to so called 111D). ...but hang in there, let's move on ------------------------------------------ trebor, iirc we've heard clearly stated that Optimus did not provide any 111 models with 221CNA replacement burner. Might we set aside "prototype" speculation for now either way. Timothy presents 1, you have one and have seen quantity 8 ish. I can only suggest re these latest examples it is what it is At this point I would tentatively refer to all of the above as 111Ds. If nothing else, it may simply be Norwegian military repaired 111s and what fits... they purchased (or reused) replacement tanks. Optimus sells or did sell replacement tanks for the 111 (pn 5177). --------------------------------- IIRC these details are new to the site, so we shall see how it pans out. At the moment I gotta run but I'll follow along, may follow up. Thanks guys
Hi all, Optimus did never supply complete stoves with the 221CNA burner ("Arctic" or "D"). But during all times when 111's were in use in Norway, Optimus did supply all other parts for the 111 series during it's various stages of evolution. So alongside supplying burners to the Norwegian armed forces also cases, tanks, control keys etc were supplied. These were usually in the same style as the civilian counterpart at the time when they were made. So with reference to stove No. 3 above, the knob of the control key is green (as it is the same knob that was used for the No. 88 Hiker+ stove). The green tank is special made as a spare tank for the Norwegian armed forces, but coated green as this was the surface treatment of that time. The black case with right-hand side hole for control key is also made special for the Norwegian armed forces as a spare case. Both green tanks and black cases were made in pretty big volumes. So the No. 3 stove above could either be a unit that has undergone transplantation of every organ or a unit that the Norwegian Armed Forces built themselves from their stock of spare parts. I wonder if they would really call it a prototype though since this was using parts that were well-known since decades (albeit in later iterations). Maybe the prototype perception is confused with the prototypes of the Hiker+ NATO that I know they tested. That one is featured here Optimus Hiker+ NATO prototype . Best regards, Staffan
all, Just wow. Thank you so much Staffan, among "replacement" parts special made for Norwegian army: 221CNA burner black cases with control knob hole on right green tanks as seen in #3 … tanks, special made... I'm not expecting answers here and now but I would be curious (always): Were they the same tank used in the 111 Hiker+? Steel? Once they have been distributed are they recognizable as Norwegian Defense replacement part... the tank? I guess same question for the replacement black case as well? Cases with knob hole on the right were no longer "in production" is my impression. ---------------------------------- This subcategory of Norwegian Defense 111s is more involved than most stovies had realized. Re names going forward, in light of the ongoing updates, along with 111 Artic and 111D... maybe 111ND is worthy of consideration going forward?... just thinking out loud.. interesting developments to say the least my thanks to all @Staffan Rönn cc @Timothy Epp @afoton @trebor
Hi @OMC I went up in the attic to hunt for treasure in my secret stash. He that seeketh findeth... Below are images of one almost complete stove with the case, tank and burner specially made for the Norwegian Armed Forces. Also one NOS 221CNA burner + two NOS tanks. The tanks were made of brass, but coated with the same surface treatment as the Hiker+ tanks. The alternative would have been polishing, but that is more costly than color coating. A brass tank is very ugly when it comes out of production due to the mulling, so surface treatment is required. If Optimus had ever made complete stoves with these parts, they would have been denominated 111CNA (C for Cobra and NA for Norwegian Armed Forces). Same logic as the replacement burner which was denominated 221CNA. Best regards, Staffan
I've taken liberty to insert pic of Timothy's case (#3) here. and his stove, it appears we have a match! Down to Norwegian Armed Forces "replacement" case, tank & burner with *contemporary control knob / tool (*at time of parts order). Please accept my apologies Timothy, Your follow-on comment: "My post was intended to visually support his. [Staffan's comments on this 111 topic]". With hindsight the examples you offered (in not so many words) are perfect, again, my apologies. We all may have learned / confirmed some additional details along the way. Credit to and our thanks to Staffan! ----------------------------------- These details may shed light on past discussions re 111 painted tanks steel vs some in brass. IIRC.
This has been a most interesting and unexpected discussion - thanks OMC and Staffan. Always a lot to learn!
Hello, I have the last years few seen hundreds of norwegian military optimus 111 in service. Often cases, burners, tank lids, kontrol knobs are a mix of parts form different eras and models. Probably are 1/3 of them a mix of parts from the 50's, 60's, 70's 80's and 90's. What i have seen the last years, up to 40- 50% of them are 111, the rest are mostly 111T and i also have seen a few with 111cna burner (less than 1/10 of the stoves i have seen has cna burner) . All the stoves with 111cna burner has a mix of other parts, and i have not often seen two of them that has the same mix of parts. All the burners has the same name in the norwegian military, it one 111 or 111T burner breaks, you get another burner, randomly after whats in store.
