Objects Database

Army No1 Hydra Burner (MK4)

Accession Number

1387.2017.1

Object Name

Army No1 Hydra Burner (MK4)

Created

23/02/2017

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

23/02/2017

Brief Description

Hydra Burner Cooker with cover. Cover has two carrying handles. Wax paper parcel with spare parts.

Materials

metal

Dimensions

57(L) x 42(W) x 27(H) cms

Number Of Objects

Inscription Description

Stencilled on cover " E 716 PORTABLE COOKER NO1 J2 - 310 - 99 - 12S - 1847"
On burner " WARNING RELEASE AIR PRESSURE BEFORE REMOVING FILLER CAP"

Colour

green

Maker

Redheugh Hydra Ltd.

Provenance

This monster petrol stove became standard army equipment in 1938/9 and was used extensively in Field Kitchens during World War Two and for the following 40 years until it was phased out around 1980 for health & safety reasons since lots of them blew up; large amounts of pressurized petrol and very hot flames were not a good mix!
Having been pumped and lit, a large flame 'erupted' from the front and was channelled into a tunnel of metal plates which had holes on the top for the metal food containers to sit on. The rather woozy picture opposite shows one in use. Interestingly, World War Two flame throwers were based on the same system, albeit for cooking troops rather than sausages!
Redheugh Hydra Ltd. seem to have been the manufacturer of these cookers. We can't find out much about the company other than them being 'Oil Burner Manufacturers'. They went into liquidation in 1965.
Having used one of these cookers himself during his time in the Royal Marines (1966/77), Mick Tighe bought this one from a firm called the Tarpaulin & Tent Company in London in the 1980's - he can't remember how much it was!