Speed and Convenience in Fuelling Aeroplanes from
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A New Leyland Cub Tanker for the National Benz°le Co., Ltd.
WITH the object of facilitating the rapid fuelling of aircraft at aerodromes, without the need for the machines having to taxi to a freed point, with resultant congestion, the National Benzole Co., Ltd., Wellington House, Buckingham Gate, London, S.W.1, has designed a special 800-gallon tanker.
The machine has as its basis the Leyland Cub KDSX1-type six-wheeled chassis, which incorporates two driving axles, whilst an auxiliary gearbox increases the number of ratios to eight. When running on normal road surfaces, the use a a clutch enables the drive to be taken to ouly one of the bogie axles.
The chassis is rated by Leyland Motors, Ltd. Leyland, Lanes, as a 4-tonner, and it embodies a six-cylindered engine of 31-in. bore and 5-in, stroke, giving a maximum b.h.p. of 55 and an R.A.C. h.p. of 27.3. The hydraulic brakes operate on all six wheels.
The provision of 9-in, low-pressure tyres on all wheels minimizes the risk of damaging the taking-off ground of the aerodrome, whilst tracks can be fitted over the bogie wheels. The tracks employed are made by Kennedy and Kempe, Ltd., Harewood Forest Works, Longparish, Rants.
The tank itself is the product of the Aluminium Plant and Vessel Co., Ltd., Northfield House, Wandsworth Park, London, S.W.18, and it has two compartments, one accommodating 300 gallons of spirit and the . other 500 gallons, Use is made of aluminium for the tank and for the bearers, whilst Silentbloc bushes are also used in supporting the container. A cupboard Is formed at the rear by the extension of the outer shell of the tank, and in it is housed the pumping and metering equipment.
The spirit is filtered before passing through the pump, and the efficient apparatus enables it to be raised to a B42
height of 35 ft., so that the larges types of aircraft may conveniently be 'wiled.
On top of the tank is mounted boom carrying the petrol hose, and e arm may, if necessary, be made to d rifle a complete circle. The boom ay be raised to a height of 16 ft., thus c earing the hose of all obstructions and giving direct access to the tank of th aeroplane.
,A. geared rotary hand pump ro
vided. It delivers spirit through a
meter of the Avery-Hardoll type, and operates two main indicating dials mounted one on each side of the tank. The pump unit has been constructed so that, should the Home Office or any other authority amend the present policy of requiring the engine to be stoppul before refuelling operations are commenced, it can easily he converted to tpower drive.
The driver's cab is a double compartment, the rear section comprising a roomy cupboard for the accommodation of wheel tracks, tools and the driver's personal equipment. There are several small features that _demonstrate the careful thought given to the design of the tanker. For instance, the rear wings incorporate hinged sections to facilitate the fitting and removal of the tracks.
We understand that the tanker has been devised as the result of the experience gained by the National Benzole Co., Ltd., last year, when fuelling the aircraft and vehicles taking part in Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day tour.