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for 135w/150w SOX lamps

REVO Hyperion 'C' Lantern. The Hyperion 'C' was originally a Relite product that appeared in the 70's to replace the outdated Revo/Relite Hyperion 'B' lantern. Unlike the Hyperion 'B' that used a pressed aluminium canopy, the Hyperion 'C' saw the re-introduction of a cast-aluminium canopy, which made for a much sturdier fitting. Similar in design to the GEC Z9554 lantern, the Hyperion 'C' was a modern looking lantern that found favour with many local authorities, but was never as popular as the GEC Z9554, which saw a much longer production run and went on to be produced as a modern GRP canopied lantern; the Z9554M.

The Hyperion 'C' was available as a 135w SOX lantern, or in a lengthened version as a 180w SOX lantern. Production of the Hyperion 'C' continued into the Simplex Lighting/Tube Investments era, who absorbed the former Relite concern in the late 70's. However, production of the Hyperion ceased when Simplex Lighting became part of the Whitecroft Road and Tunnel Lighting group (WRTL) in the 1980's, as the Hyperion duplicated WRTL's MRL135, which was in fact a late model GRP version of the original GEC Z9554M.

The lantern in the collection is an original Relite product and came from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire where it had been in use since the early 1970's. The fitting is complete, but unfortunately there is a small hole in the bowl. Hopefully, a replacement bowl will be sourced at some point in the future. The canopy is very oxidised on the inside and will need taking apart and bead blasting before reassembly can take place. To ensure a thorough renovation, a complete spare canopy was also acquired with the lantern, which will be cannibalised for any spare parts that are deemed better than those on the complete example.

The Hyperion 'C' 135w lantern is pictured next to a mobile phone to give an idea of scale. The Hyperion 'C' is quite a small and compact 135w SOX lantern, and bears little family resemblance to its forerunners, the Hyperion 'A' and Hyperion 'B' types.

The Hyperion 'C' 135w lantern (bottom) is seen in comparison against the similar looking GEC Z9554 135w lantern (top). As can be seen from this view the Hyperion's canopy shape is different, and is also slightly longer than the Z9554. The bowls are similar in design, but the Hyperion's has longer refractor panels than the Z9554.

Another comparison shot of the Z9554 (left) and the Hyperion (right); the narrower canopy of the Hyperion is evident. Not so noticeable is the fact that the Z9554's bowl is designed for quick release, enabling a replacement to be easily fitted with the lantern in situ. However, the Hyperion's bowl hinges are secured to the canopy with screws, making life a little move difficult for the lighting engineers; I really don't know why Relite didn't opt for a quick release bowl?

In this view of the Hyperion with its bowl in the open position, we can see how plain and simple the lantern's internal layout is; only slightly complicated by the factory-fitted photocell control switch.

An in-service picture of a similar Hyperion 'C' for 135w SOX lamps.

This is the larger version of the Hyperion 'C' for 180w SOX lamps is seen in Wolverhampton..

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Please note that all pictures are by Claire Pendrous, or are part of the Claire Pendrous photographic collection unless otherwise stated; none of these images can be copied without obtaining prior permission.