This one has come back to us in recent times from a long-time customer in the West Midlands - in much the same condition now, photographs opposite and words below are both from last time it was here. An Alco Mk814 wartime steam generator, that fabulously batty successor to the equally mad Firefly, a smaller unit which used the Stuart Sirius engine. Both were designed to be parachute dropped into enemy territory where they could be used to charge radio batteries.The larger Mk814 had its own, purpose designed piston valve engine, coupled to a unique boiler whose claim to fame was steaming in under ten minutes on twigs and leaves (we fired one up once according to the ministry instructions - unbelievably it does exactly that, it sold to a vintage radio collector who actually wanted to use it).400 were built, with 200 disposed of on the surplus market after the war. A few have survived, although complete units in their original crates have become increasingly rare to find - we've had two or three in over the last fifteen years.
