Morris Adapted as Aircraft Loader
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THE Morris 504 13-ft.-4-in.-wheelIt base chassis and cab has been adapted as an aircraft loader and two of these new-look vehicles are now in use with Aer Lingus International Airlines.
Scissor Lift
To achieve the desired effect of raising vertically the box body, the chassis has been fitted with a scissor lift manufactured by Access Equipment. This is raised by twin hydraulic rams located in the centre of the chassis, the pump being driven by the gearbox-mounted power take-off. Two hydraulically operated stabilizing jacks are fitted at the rear end of the chassis, the anchor point for the scissor being behind the cab.
An Edbro tail-gate loader, also hydraulically operated, folds up vertic10 cally to the rear of the body when not in use.
A light-alloy box body has been fitted by Palmer Coach Builder, Ltd., giving interior dimensions of approximately 34 ft. 7 in. x 7 f t. X 7 ft. All the framing, panelling and flooring is of aluminium including the front and rear shutters. The front loading bridge between the body and the aircraft can be of either the hinged or fixed type. Hand rails can be provided for the fixed type bridge; the bridge can also be protected by a glass-fibre canopy, which slides out from the front of the body if desired.
Additional equipment includes Dshaped rear wings fitted to rise and fall with the body, two aircraft red warning lights at the front at the highest point, a flood lamp illuminating the front platform and controlled by a switch in the body and a flame trap extension fitted to the vehicle's exhaust pipe.
Two in Operation
Two Morris aircraft loaders are currently in operation with Aer Lingus and they are suitable for loading aircraft up to and including the Douglas DC8, which is the aeroplane with the highest loading line on the market.