Notable Example of British Export Enterprise
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VVE reproduce on this page exterior VY and interior pictures of a Bedford 2S-seater, two-compartment bus which has been built for the Overseas Motor Transport Co., Ltd., the parent concern of the Uganda Transport Co., Ltd., which is to operate the vehicle in Uganda. It is the prototype of 30 vehicles of this class which will shortly be shipped for service in that part of the world.
It embodies some notable features which have been specially incorporated to meet East African conditions. The well-planned and workmanlike body is by Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., Edgware Road, The Hyde, London, N.W.9, and it is constructed of teak and similar timber with a metal underframe and flooring. The bo.ly is divided into two sections, the smaller, at the front, being for Europeans and the other for natives, the latter having wood-slatted seats and a double folding door. The first-class compartment has seats upholstered in brown leather and a 'coach-type door.
The roof and side panels are doublelined and insulated with Isoflex. The exterior panelling is of aluminium, and rubbing rails are provided on each side. A luggage carrier is fitted on the roof whilst a cycle rail is also provided to which bicycles can be secured. Also on the roof is a mail box with a special lock, and there is a letterbox in the side of the body.
The Bedford chassis on which this Duple body is mounted has a wheel base of 14 ft. 6 ins., and is provided with dual petrol tanks giving a total capacity of 40 gallons.
Subsidiaries of the Overseas Motor Transport Co., Ltd., have been operating under considerable difficulties during the war, by reason of the lack of replacement vehicles, and the new fleet will take the place of some of those buses that have been 'hard-. worked during the past few years.
The buses operated by the subsidiaries of the Overseas Motor Transport Co., Ltd., cover a total route mileage of 1,500. The chairman of the whole organization is Commander F. T. Hare, R.N., who is shortly paying a,visit to East Africa.