About

This website is dedicated to preserving the history of the Arthur Lyon & Co. ‘Alco’ Firefly Steam Charging Set. This remarkable equipment was developed by the British during World War II for Special Operations Executive (SOE) operatives and Allied spies behind enemy lines. Its purpose was to charge 6 Volt batteries, which powered clandestine radios, namely the Type 3 Mark II. The Firefly enabled battery charging wherever wood and water could be sourced.

As an artifact of World War II, SOE/OSS espionage, model engineering, and radio history, the Alco Firefly is truly an intersectional curiosity.

The goal of this website is to uncover details and share information about the Alco Firefly and feature surviving examples. Restoration and preservation resources are also provided.

Let’s Connect!

With your help, together we can discover what would remain hidden if we only have our own individual examples to study.

If you own an Alco Firefly generator set, boiler, or a Stuart Sirius steam engine from an Alco Firefly (with brass oiler filler tube built into the aluminum sump), or have information or questions regarding the Alco Firefly, please get in touch.

Email info [(at)] alcofirefly.com

Thank you to all of the enthusiasts from around the world who write in!

–Ron

1944 boiler and generator set assembled