Yankee Turnflex Light

[GSPD]

I aquired a Yankee Turnflex light from the local Craigslist last night for $10. It's kind of interesting how the power leads are mounted on the base. The base is heavy and is "dove tailed" in the back, which leads me to believe the light can be removed from the base. On the lense is "Yankee Turnflex No.1" and on the light base is "381". The light is in nice shape and I believe it may be a late 60's manufacture.


I've included a couple pictures so maybe others can supply some information on this particular light.


http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll196/GSPD44/Yankee%20Turnflex/

 

[dmathieu]

The light head itself is a standard Yankee turnflex. The base is something else. I've never seen anything like it. I think the base is home made, very nicely, at that. Maker was probably a machinist. That's my opinion.


By the way, it is a nice light, and unique setup. Mfg. probably 1960s or 70s.


Dan

 

[NPS Ranger]

Hmmm, I still probably have a couple of those floating around in the garage from back in the day. In NJ in the 60's - 70's one of those on the front bumper or grille was the only light for a vol FF. At one point the blue ones came from the factory spray-painted flat black inside to help absorb the heat, otherwise the blue lens would soften or melt in use on a hot day. Didn't have that problem with the red/amber ones because those lenses didn't absorb so much light energy.


The mounting base is definitely home made. The standard light mounted with a hollow stud, the positive lead came out through the stud and the light grounded via mounting to something metal. Also, they used a cruddy little brown paper gasket between the body and lens.

 

[GSPD]

I remember these style lights in the early 60's. A lot of the firefighters mounted them on the bumpers or on the dash, some hooked them to flashers while a few left them steady burn.


If this is indeed a homemade base, someone put a lot into it. Very impressive machining and again the wire hookup. The "studs" used for power have threads on them and probably had screw on caps to dress them up.


Well, I'm happy to have it sitting on the shelf.....it made someone a nice dash light years ago!

 

[NPS Ranger]

Yankee is out of business but Truck-Lite still makes a similar light in all colors including blue, if you need one for a restoration. Lenses don't interchange though.


http://www.truck-lite.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=28578&langId=-1

 

[dmathieu]

That it did!


My Dad made the 1st 2 dash lights for the small town in Massachusetts that he was a sergeant in. 1 for his dash, and 1 for the chief's.


He used a similar light, Cyclostat,made by Signal Stat, double faced, blue to the front, red to the back. Mounted on a base similar to the old Whelen Rota Beam base. There was a flasher mounted under the base.


Dan

 

[NPS Ranger]

Now that is another cool piece of craftsmanship.

 

[03crownvic]

What would a pair of Yankee Turnflex lights be worth? I have a couple.....

 

[dmathieu]

I'd say $10-$20 each, depending on condition.


Dan

 

[03crownvic]

That's about what I was thinking, thanks.

 

[nerdly_dood]

That kinda looks like the lights on this old one. Hotlinking images is blocked, so...


Front


Back

 

[dmathieu]

???

 

[EL1998P71]

That kinda looks like the lights on this old one. Hotlinking images is blocked, so...

Front


Back

for me, the links just go to the Police car web site main page

 

[dmathieu]

Same here. It would be nice to see what he meant.


Dan

 

[nerdly_dood]

for me, the links just go to the Police car web site main page

That wasn't supposed to happen...