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More U.S. Mobile Canteens to Help Combat the Blitz

15th August 1941, Page 34
15th August 1941
Page 34
Page 37
Page 34, 15th August 1941 — More U.S. Mobile Canteens to Help Combat the Blitz
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Keywords : Convertibles, Door, Mini

MUMEROUS attractive features iNcharaCterize a fleet cif mobile canteens for. the British War Relief Society, U.S.A., of which 201 are being built by the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan, The vehicles have as their basis the LIM forward-control 122-in. Wheelbase 15-20-cwt. chassis, and are powered by the Vg-engine. The bodies are products of Transportation Engineers, Inc., Detroit, and follow this concern's Van-Ette Senior design. The mobile canteens were 'purchased through-Kroger-Jonas, Inc., New York Ford dealer, whilst the bodies are being mounted at the Ford works and being equipped internally at New York under the supervision of. the Kroger-Jonas concern. We understand that, up to date, 51 have been completed:

Of all-metal construction, including the roof, the body is capacious, affording 384 cubic ft. of loading space, has good lines and is finished in a pleasing shade +DI green. The handsome' radiator .e2,8 grille is flush with the front panelling, and the sloping windscreenis formed in two pieces" set at a wide angle to each other. Both sides of the cab are closed by wide sliding doors, that by the left side (the driver's side) having a sliding windovi.

Mounted on a pedestal; the .driver's seat is of the bucket 'type, whilst the pedestal is hinged at the bottom to allow the seat to tip forwards. The seat is also arranged to swivel in ;the pedestal, a foot-operated catch releasing it from the driving position. Provision is made for adjusting it in .a fore-and-aft direction by the removal and replacement of bolts. There is a cusliion at the bulkhead for a passenger on the other side.

Within, the body is steel panelled at the sides, whilst the roof has cardboard panels; the interior finish being white. Stout plywood forms the floor. There are double doors at the rear, hung on full-length hinges and equipped with rubber sealing strips. Check chains hold them in the open position.

Above these doors is a folding canvas canopy supported by a pair of swinging stays hinged to the rear panel at about waist-line level. When in use it extends rather farther than the open doors, whilst it is retained in the outof-use position by two straps secured to the outside of the roof. A step is incorporated in th-i back bumper.

'Accessible from this step is a 15-in. counter across the door1 opening. Along the left-hand side is a continuous table, 18 ins. wide, accommodating below, it three sets of drawers and one open compartment. Corresponding fixtures on the other side include a sixcompartment cupboard, extending, at the front, from floor to roof, each compartment having a horizontally hinged door, a wash sink with cutlery drawer and draining board, an oil cooking

stove, and a 23-gallon water tank. The last named is mounted on a table, having three large, open compartments under it.

Among other equipment may be named a refuse bin, a waste-paper receptacle, a fire extinguisher, and two storm lamps. In addition,-there are two 25-gallon vacuum-jacketed containers, kettles, crockery, etc., the cups, bowls, dishes; spoons and sci forth being of plastic material to minimize breakages. There are enough to serve 250 persons at One time.

Immediately above the stove there is a steel roof plate, in which is incorporated an electrically controlled ventilator. There are also two dome-type roof lamps.

These canteens are primarily intended for the relief of civilians in bombed towns. They are staffed bywa driver and three attendants, and distribute

hot drinks, soup, sandwiches, canned goods, cigarettes, etc., right.on the spot in devastated areas. It is of note that 50 of them were recently presented to the Salvation Army by Mr. B. de N. Cruger, head of the British War Relief Society organization in this country.

Tags

People: N. Cruger
Locations: Dearborn, New York, Detroit

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