This arrived in the post on tuesday: another view of the box: And another view: Inside the box was this: And it included an instruction sheet: [ And another part of the sheet: It included a few spares: And here is a photo of the stove: I just needed to replace the tank packing which had become hard and then next was the kettle test: The stove lit immediately I closed the airscrew just as the last of the meths was burning off without any pumping - perfect: And then waited until the late evening when it was dark enough to get a flame shot and as you can see it produces a super flame: I then took some shots of the cherry red burner bell: This was great so I took another: And another: The stove now joins its 96 pals: A word or two about the 96's above: Left to right top is my most used Optimus 96,bought by my pal around 1961 and given to me in '73 when he quit climbing. I use this stove often with a "Special", either a 2 pint silent or 2 pint roarer or Gary's midi cap. Bottom left is one of the last made Optimus 96's which has the pump with the "o" rings rather than the leather cup. Note the lovely pump knob made for me by Henrik. Next 96 is the one in the middle, a 1955 Pocket Primus, note that on the boss I have parked a modern reserve lid. The Pocket Primus top right is from 1930, it two travels with a Hex tamk lid but not shown in the photo. Finally, bottom right is the Optimus 96 present from my brother. I thought a close up photo of Henrik's pump knob might be of interest to you: [ A lovely job, thank you Henrik! Finally, a photo of two pumps: The top one shows the "O" ring version with Henrik's pump knob and the lower is from the Optimus 96 just received from my brother.
I'm getting forgetful in my old age, the Optimus 96 top left was given to me in '72 not '73 and the lovely lightweight aluminium legs on this stove were made for me by Bryan Miller. Cheers, Rob
Hi Snowgoose, Great brother you've got there. I love the 96 from all manufacturers. I wish my brother would send me a stove like that. Mmmm, thinking about it perhaps I'd need a brother first for that to to happen! Can't see my sisters recognising a nice stove even if they tripped over one! Cheers, Graham.
Love the Cherry Red. The half pint stove as the 1 pint are my favorite. Great pictures of some great stoves. Thanks for showing. Cheers Tim
A well presented post with some really nice pictures, along with some great close up shots. Thanks for that.
the Holy Grail of collapsible stoves! simply beautiful! it would appear that a lipstick beats other kero roarers in output?
Hello, Rob, VERY nice post, and a trusted and most worthy subject, the 96! Your photos are wonderful, and I can almost enjoy the aroma of your new 96, cleanly burning kero!! Henrik's work, like Bryan's, and Doug's, is simply wonderful! We are truly blessed, as Stovies, to have such talented and sharing Gentlemen like them, that can craft a thing of beauty out of brass, aluminum, or steel!! I am in awe of that talent, I must say. Thanks, very much, for sharing your 96 family with us, Rob! Again, well done!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hi Rob a realy superb post which has been nicely laid out. And what a smashing gift everything complete and in mint condition including the box this stove has had little use and been well cared for. Also Rob a good idea taking some night time shots of the stove it realy does show the flame pattern in real detail with the burner basket glowing a perfect cherry red and the flame at full belt burning with a perfect atmospheric blue roaring flame with out a speck of yellow. many thanks rob for a great post well done
