Optimus Hiker+ NATO prototype

Discussion in 'Optimus No:111 (all variants) + later Hiker & Hike' started by Staffan Rönn, Aug 11, 2019.

  1. Staffan Rönn

    Staffan Rönn SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    This is a modified Optimus Hiker+ that was made for trials in the armed forces of a Nato country some years ago. A quantity of approximately 50 pcs were made. The majority of them were used in the test and evaluations by military personnel. The major difference to the standard Hiker+ were added accessories, jet optimized for jet type of fuel (NATO F-34), small improved details to box and pump rod.

    IMAG8606.jpg IMAG8608.jpg
    Image above shows "specials" like:
    - Clip in lid to hold the control key.
    - Clip in lid to hold a multitool / wrench.
    - Multitool.
    - Fire protective Nomex type of kitchen cloth.

    Detail of clips, control key and multitool.

    IMAG8611.jpg


    These units were also supplied with a filling funnel with gauze:

    IMAG8610.jpg
    IMAG8612.jpg


    Pump rod with old style free floating pump piston:

    IMAG8614.jpg

    Multitool designed to allow full stripping of stove in the field, including changing the NRV:

    IMAG8616.jpg

    Box fitted with more and stronger magnets for more reliable function of the magnetic cleaning needle:

    IMAG8619.jpg

    Burner detail:

    IMAG8621.jpg

    Let's fill it up. There's nothing like the smell of jet fuel on a Sunday afternoon...

    IMAG8622.jpg
    The jet orifice size was reduced to 0,30 mm (from original 0,32 mm) to reduce CO emissions and improve combustion of this pretty crude fuel.

    Ignition! Here's a steady blue flame, although hardly visible in the first shot:

    IMAG8624.jpg




    IMAG8630.jpg
    IMAG8632.jpg

    This version never came into serial production, so it's a rare piece. The Hiker+ (including this trial version) was the last stove model still being made in Sweden. They were manufactured in Gnosjö in the same factory that Optimus used for decades before.
     
  2. Odd

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    That's one cool stove you've got there Staffan!
    /Odd
     
  3. Staffan Rönn

    Staffan Rönn SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    Hej @Odd !
    Yes this is a cool stove.

    Or on second thougt not, it's actually hot!! :lol:
     
  4. kerophile

    kerophile United Kingdom SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hi @Staffan Rönn great photographs of a rare and interesting Optimus stove.
    Thank you for sharing yet another gem with us.

    Best Regards,
    Kerophile.
     
  5. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Thank you for sharing this uncommon stove.
    Hot stuff.
     
  6. JP2

    JP2 Subscriber

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    Interesting
    Thank
     
  7. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Excellent! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:


    Cheers

    Tony
     
  8. ArchMc

    ArchMc SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Nice set of accessories and provision for storing them.

    ....Arch
     
  9. Afterburner

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    Nice kit & interesting information. :thumbup: Unfortunately consumers never get these better models... ](*,)
     
  10. itchy

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    Interesting. Thanks for the info. Good pictures.

    At a minimum, the smaller jet opening would be nice improvements to the civilian Hiker+ (and Nova). Mine runs a little rich on kerosene, although others have not noticed the same. It could probably still be a good dual-fuel stove with that change since there is plenty of heat.

    Also, the newer one I have used split rivets to fasten the cover hinges to the bottom case -- those are real blood-letting knuckle cutters if you try to clean the case. That was a dumb move on someone's part.
     
  11. Retro Camper

    Retro Camper Subscriber

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    Great post Staffan, thanks. Do you know what year the manufacturing ended at Gnosjo?
     
  12. Staffan Rönn

    Staffan Rönn SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    Thanks all for nice comments.

    @itchy - regarding jet orifice - I sometimes notice that stoves can burn a little rich on the "heavy" fuels (kerosene, diesel) if you just heat air. Once there is a pan/pot/kettle on top combustion is improved.

    @Retro Camper - the very last batch was manufactured in the fall of 2018, October-ish.
     
  13. itchy

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    @Staffan Rönn

    A pot probably helps, but I still notice a kerosene smell and a bit of carbon on the bottom of my pot with kerosene. Of course, the recommended fuel, according to the sheet that came with my stove, is white gasoline and with that it burns very clean in it.
     
  14. Afterburner

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    @itchy Maybe Amish mix would help with soot & smell? F.ex. 15% gasoline and 85% kerosene would be still almost as safe as kerosene but could burn more clean than pure kerosene.
     
  15. itchy

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    @Afterburner
    I have no objection to mixing kero and white gas for stoves that can burn either. I will occasionally mix then in some rough proportion if it is safe. However, it is interesting that the range of %'s I've now seen attributed to Amish mix is from one extreme (85% kero) to the other (75% white gas).

    As for the Nova burners, I don't mind a little kero smell. In fact I just returned from a nice 8 day canoe trip and used the Nova on kero and the Svea 123 on white gas, even though carrying one fuel would have made more sense.
     
  16. Lennart F

    Lennart F Sweden Subscriber

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    @Staffan Rönn
    I just bought a NIB regular Hiker+ that was received by norwegian defence December 15th of 2010 - am I right when I think this would be one of the last batches 111 style sold to that customer?
    The box had never been opened before yesterday evening.
     
  17. Staffan Rönn

    Staffan Rönn SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    Hi @Lennart F
    Yes, this is most likely from one of the last batches. Good catch!
     
  18. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    @Staffan Rönn ,

    Staffan, many thanks for sharing this very interesting, and wonderful Hiker+!! I love the accessory keepers, and think the wrench design is most excellent!! Thank you, for the highly detailed photos, and as always, the great information that you bring to this site on Optimus stoves!! Always a pleasure to enjoy your posts about these rare and wonderful stoves!!

    I, too, bought a regular Hiker+, back in 2018, but have yet to actually use it. Seeing your post, however, made me go down into the Hobbit Hole, and fetch it up into the daylight! I will try to take photos, and post them in the Reference Gallery. Thanks for the inspiration! Take care, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  19. Staffan Rönn

    Staffan Rönn SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    Thank you @Doc Mark !! Glad you like the post, and the accessory keepers are indeed clever. Hope you will enjoy your Hiker+!
    Best regards,
    Staffan