[xk] Lucas FL3 Flasher

XK
1

A couple of months ago, there was discussion of the three types of
electrical flashers used on the XK Jaguars. First was the American-
made Tong Sol, which was used on the earlier XK120 with flashing
indicators. Around 1954, the Tong Sol was replaced by the Lucas
FL3. And during the XK140 production, the FL3 was replaced by the
higher output FL5. No one seemed to have a photo of the Lucas FL3
flasher.

A friend with an attic full of old Lucas parts gave me what I
believe is an FL3 flasher. It is slightly smaller than the FL5 but
has a longer attachment tongue. The surface of the cylindrical
flasher body has no manufacturer stampings, where the FL5 is fully
stamped.

Looking at Tadek’s January 1954 XK120, there are photos of what
appears to be this same flasher.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Volvo1800S/Xk120OTS#

I’ve posted pictures of what I believe to be the FL3 flashed next
to an FL5 flasher.

www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1339962469

Mike Balch–
'53 OTS
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

2

In reply to a message from Mike Balch sent Mon 18 Jun 2012:

Looks like I am wrong about this being a Lucas FL3 flasher. Roger
sent me his photo of an FL3 flasher next to an FL5 flasher. Not
sure what my flasher is, although I do believe it is the same
flasher that is on Tadek’s car. Must be an early but common
replacement flasher.

Mike Balch–
'53 OTS
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

3

It was Marvin Moore’s photo (thanks again Marvin) of a 10 55 dated Lucas FL3
from his XK140 FHC, alongside an early FL5 that shows the difference in the
two - really highlights that there was a substantial change in the internals
of the two Flasher Units.

Marvin’s 10 55 dated FL3 photo is identical to a couple of excellent photos
I have found in period Lucas Catalogues and Brochures that are late 1953
dated (Oct by memory) which I presume to be first batch typical of preparing
the launch brochure, so probably expect this to be close to date Jaguar
started using the FL3 rather than the Tong Sol unit in the XK120, but will
need actual sightings of XK120s and date of unit to be more sure of this.

Fortunate that Lucas does date all there components, so will eventually
identify the FL3 > FL5 demarcation as well.

Beggers the question though - what exactly is the unmarked Flasher-Unit in
Mikes photo? I am guessing lack of markings indicates it was originally
marked/branded with black ink like the FL3 unit and nor of course stamped as
the usual FL5 unit. Maybe the very first FL5 units continued the black ink
marking, or maybe its another brand unit altogether.

Roger Payne - XK140MC OTS; E-Type 4.2 S.1 OTS; DSV8.
Canberra.

PS. An interesting aside but relevant to what was going on in UK at this
time is another period TRICO catalogue I have including a loose URGENT
recall sheet inside, advising that the catalogue detailed new design flasher
units/lamps are immediately withrawn from sale as last minute change to UK
legislation re wattage and visible surface area had made there new line
illegal. You wonder how much influence Lucas may have had in getting
legislation changed to suit, as this was all geraed up for the XK140 launch
with the new legal flashing indicators installed, and those who have read
the detail I have provided within XK140 EXPLORED will see that the very
first XK140s used a different front FLASHER Lamp Unit than the familiar
XK140/150/Mark 2 unit that was presumably not ready in time for the Oct 1954
launch of the XK140.

If this sort of detail is of interest - save these XK-Lovers postings - as
you wont see it published in a any of the XK books.-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xk@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-xk@jag-lovers.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Balch
Sent: Monday, 18 June 2012 10:20 PM
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [xk] Lucas FL3 Flasher

In reply to a message from Mike Balch sent Mon 18 Jun 2012:

Looks like I am wrong about this being a Lucas FL3 flasher. Roger
sent me his photo of an FL3 flasher next to an FL5 flasher. Not
sure what my flasher is, although I do believe it is the same
flasher that is on Tadek’s car. Must be an early but common
replacement flasher.

Mike Balch

'53 OTS
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

4

In reply to a message from Mike Balch sent Mon 18 Jun 2012:

The unmarked steel body flasher with aluminum crimp ring
shown by Mike and Tadeusz appears to be the same as the one
that I believe was on my 1950 Mark V when it came to me in
1969 and I held on to all these years after it died. I
believe this to be the original Tung-Sol 241/D as fitted to
Mark V, early XK120 and early Mark VII, before Lucas began
making them.

Reference US Pat. No. 2103276 owned by Joseph Schmidinger
dated 28 Dec 1937.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2103276.pdf
The internal construction of mine matches this patent.

As always, new information on the subject always welcome.–
XK120 FHC, Mark V saloon, XJ12L Series II, S-Type 3.0
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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