Despite what I have read here about the British Army No2 I've gone and bought one. It's the one with a roarer burner, and it should be winging it's way to me as I type. I know I may regret it and end up hating it but I can't afford a No12 and I do like the look of these stoves. According to the seller it is in good condition and the only problem is "THE SPINDLE THAT ADJUST THE FLOW OF FUEL IS STUCK". I've never seen one of these in the flesh so I was wondering if anyone has any drawings or close ups of the burner and valve I could look at. I've never had a petrol stove like this before so I fired up my Omnifuel with some unleaded and I have to say I wasn't that impressed with petrol as a stove fuel. It took a suprising amount of priming and would then only run pretty much flat out. I'll definitely be sticking to paraffin in the Omni. Maybe the No2 will be better......
Hi SimonB, I have never seen a no.2 with a roarer burner. Looking at the reference gallery the no.2 had a silent burner. I never had a complete no.2 set only the tank and burner (which had a silent burner). After a few uses, it crapped out on me so I had given it to another member who was able to work his magic. Would love to see some pics once you have received it. Best Ron
Hmmm... I dont recognize your experience of petrol. In my 111B I just need 30 seconds of preheat tops (best done with meths, petrol is very sooty) and it pops right into a blue flame which is very controllable. My M1950 and Radius 42 are the same. I would suggest giving the Omni another go with petrol and see what happens.
Ron there are pics of a roarer No2 in this post Link David, I have to say I was suprised at how badly the petrol performed. After a jet change I fired the Omni up on paraffin to make sure it was still OK and it ran fine. In the past I have also run it on PW and it was pretty good.
It just occurred to me that I've read recently about how petrol is changing. The change is apparently causing problems with older engines and petrol tanks etc. Could this affect the way petrol burns in a stove and possibly be responsible for the poor performance in my Omnifuel?
I can't say for sure if it does or not, but it is only a month or so since I bought it for my stationary engine. Adding more Ethanol is what they are starting to do here. I think they are increasing the percentage of ethanol from 5% to 10%. Apparently not everyone adds Ethanol, it is down to the retailer. Would more Ethanol be a problem?
Ethanol is hard on some older rubber products and gaskets. I know one guy had to continually rebuild the carb(s) in his vintage Jag. Duane
Re the silent/roarer burner, the older models (made up to the 1970's) used the same roarer burners as the 2-burner N°3 stoves. The later models had a silent burner with a wonderfull flame patern. I've used my N°2 & 3 with panelwipe which works pretty nice in them. Nowadays I buy Aspen4, also works very well. I know these stoves were designed to run on petrol (1 fuel for both vehicles & stoves, makes supplies easier, especially in war times) but I don't like to use it, it stinks and is not good for your health (mainly due to additives). Also, like said before, the alcohol added to modern day fuel might (will) do nasty things to gaskets, and it attracts water. War time stoves often come with steel tanks so this is not a good combination. Whatever others may claim, these are nice performers, maybe build a bit "rough", but hey, these were meant to be used by soldiers, and carried on the vehicle so there was no urgent need for "good looks"! Best regards, Wim
I would love to give it a try. If I knew of a local supplier I'd be straight down there to get some. There is only one place in the whole county that sells it according to the Apsen website, and they only do the 2T! If anyone know a stockist in the North Herts area please speak up. Simon.
I think there is something "business like" about them, made to last sort of thing. I like their look. Simon
Hello Simon, I believe all british army stoves were issued with a manual but they seem to be rarer than hens teeth, I have heard mention of them on historic military vehicle sites the manuals may well have been left in the vehicles when they were disposed of This service card was for early issue No2 stoves and it's interesting to see the first thing it mentions is to tighten the gland nut, perhaps the nut on your new stove has just been overtightened siezing the valve. I have A No2 "modified" with the silent burner which has run brilliantly since the day I bought it and as such I have never stripped it down, however I do remember reading that Bom Bom Bom Bom has stripped a few of these perhaps he could help. As for the Aspen 4T if you can't find a local source there is a supplier in Stoke on Trent not too far from me; Mow maintenance in Vale st, S.O.T. 01782 414555. If I happen to be down your way or if you get up anywhere near the midlands I'll pick some up for you and we could meet up somewhere. Last time I bought some it was around £15 for five litres. Malcolm
The best thing for you to do simon,is to come to newark to the stove/lamp party and we will try your stove on some aspen 4t. If i get time,i may make the hundred mile trip to my nearest aspen dealer and bring some spare with me. Nigel
Thanks for the offers of some 4T, very much appreciated. I might try calling the number on the Aspen website first to see if they know of anyone close to me who sells it. I might just be able to get to the Newark do for an overnight on the Saturday. I just need to clear it with the boss first! Not sure I'll be able to bring many stoves with me as I'd be on my bike unless the missus lets me take the car.
@SimonB try UPOL 2005 fast acting panel wipe or Holts Break Cleaner, both are pure naptha and both my No2's, No3 and both Coleman lamps run fine on it. Also they're cheaper than Aspen4. Tim
