The Consol Shelter - Personal ARP Protection

​Manufactured by Constructors Ltd at their Nickel Works in Erdington near Birmingham the Consol Portable Shelter was an armoured mini air raid shelter. Constructed from bullet-proof steel plate bolted to a concrete base it would protect those inside against bomb blast, falling debris and flying splinters, glass and shrapnel. An integral lifting eye on the roof allowed the shelter to be easily moved. Some accounts call the shelters "Fire Watchers' Bell".

Supplied in three sizes for 1 (3' diameter/9 cwt (457kg)), 2 (4' diameter/10 cwt (508 kg)) or 4 (4' 9"/14 cwt (711 kg)) people. Princes started at £57 (equivalent to £3, 600 pounds in 2018). Consol shelters used in factories to provide shelter for fire guards and also used by ARP wardens and the police.

WW2 advert for the Consol air raid shelter.

An ARP warden enters his well protected Consol shelter.

WW2 Consol air raid shelter at the Museum of the Docklands, London.