Pics : Bulge Notek relic

Although the best relics are the ones you find for yourself, I very occasionally buy something from a UK dealer who regularly 'trawls' NW Europe.

I couldn't resist this object he got recently from a contact in Houffalize, Belgium. It's a very familiar object from any WWII German soft-skinned vehicle, a black-out 'Notek' light for driving in convoy at night.






Although it's obviously in very 'relic' condition, it's in pretty good shape overall......

 

Very nice.
Not just a softskin accessory though Martin, peer at any Panzer or Armoured car and you'll likely spot a Notek, front light or rear panel.

A brilliantly simple system really, to the extent it carried on postwar.
Not uncommon to see it (or a very slightly modified variant) on Warsaw Pact vehicles, (and other 'Western' nations if memory serves, but I forget who).

 

I've had a few relics from here.
dugup

They attend most of the larger militaria fairs and are a good bunch of lads.

 

Yes - I've had one or two bits from them as well : as you say, they seem slightly more trustworthy than one or two others.....

 

interesting relic martin, when is the opel blitz arriving?

 

I'm afraid I'll just have to 'make do' with the 1/32 scale toy one.....

 

You going to leave it "original" or clean it up for display?

 

As it's nicely complete ( no holes ) but very 'red-rust' indeed, I'm considering treating it with that rust-removal stuff ( whose name escapes me just now ) which I used on my relic G43 receiver......

 

OK - it's had a good soaking in 'Deox C' solution , followed by a very gentle soft-brushing which has floated off a mass of red-rust crud. After drying, I've applied a coat of penetrating wax.

It's interesting that minus all the rust, a fair bit of paint can now be seen ; -



The original colour seems to have been a fine dark grey, which appears to have been overpainted with a much thicker coat of a beige/earth/creamy colour (??). Oddly enough, the grey seems to match the 'toy' Opel Blitz colour rather well....



Also unearthed from a coating of rust, inside can now be seen the original lens and reflector plate, both in good condition...



The reverse of a circular mark ( trade-mark ? ) can also now be made out under the visor. Sadly, corrosion has removed all trace of the lettering...





Anyhow, a fun and very cheaply-acquired relic. Comments from 'Notek' experten gratefully received !

 

you did a good job Martin it looks really well, is 'Deox C' solution the brand name of the chemical you used?

 

It was recommended to me on this forum ( sadly, I forget who by ) a couple of years ago.

It is absolutely brilliant stuff !

Bilt-Hamber Laboratories - Corrosion Removal - Deox-C

 

thanks for that Martin, it seems to work very well.....would you advice using it on a helmet?

 

Yes, but you'd need a big bucket !

 

It was my friend, Pegasus, who recommended it you, martin.

I still haven't got any myself!

 

That's right, Pegasus - I'd forgotten. Thanks, John !

I need to put in another order for some of this stuff.....

 

pretty sure is the same marking - a Notek brand mark;

http://warrelics.eu/forum/battlefield-archeology/battledamaged-beautiful-finds-784-2/

hope this helps