The Six-wheeler and its Future.
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T T is distinctly encouraging to find a branch of -A-the Services fully alive to the value of publicity In helping to secure the ends which it may have in view. The War Department, in the conduct of its demonstration of six-wheelers on the military manoeuvre ground east of Chobham Ridges on Tuesday last, showed all the flair of, an accomplished publicity expert, for the showmanship was good, the entertainment of the guests, if simple, was well-timed and sufficient, and the frankness shown and the willingness to give information were distinctly refreshing. This attitude has always been adopted by the Mechanical Transport Section of the War Department, and it is greatly appreciated by all who come into contact with the section.
It is not possible in peace time for the Royal Army Service Corps to provide the reserve of military vehicles likely to be required on the outbreak of war, and now that the six-wheeler in two forms (one to carry 20-cwt. loads and the other 30-cwt. loads across country) has virtually been adopted to displace the G.S. wagon, with other possible developments in its adaptation to the requirements of modern warfare, the R.A:S.C. has to look to the civilian user for the creation of that reserve. Publicity on the six-wheeler amongst manufacturers in order to encourage them to design and make it, and amongst users so as to induce them to use what is, unquestionably, a promising type of vehicle, is the best way to secure the desired end; but it is important that there shall be no vacillation in policy, and if the six-wheeler is now regarded by the War Department as a solution of its eternal problem of rendering the Army mobile and of maintaining an unfailing stream of supplies of ammunition and stores, the clearest statement on the subject that can be made would have a good effect in securing the instant co-operation of makers and civilian users. At the moment the feeling prevails that the 30-cwt. subsidy model has only involved makers and users in expense, with no adequate return to either nor advantage to the Army.
For its enterprise in developing the six-wheeler and its skill in design, which has materially helped to make the vehicle a practical success, by eliminating the faults in suspension which were disclosed in the course of experiment in the imported six-wheeler acquired two and a half years ago for the purpose of research, the Experimental Branch of the R.A.S.C. deserves considerable credit. Those who saw this vehicle under test in the Long Valley, Aldershot, realize the promise of a useful, serviceable unit both for military purposes and civilian uses, and it is due entirely to the Experimental Branch that the design of the six-wheeler has now reached such an advanced stage.
The first commercial application of the six-wheeled chassis will, doubtless, be for buses seating about 70 passengers. The buses Will be larger than those in u s e to-day, b u t, carrying more passengers, fewer buses will be required for a given volume of traffic and thus street congestion, particularly, in London, will be reduced. This type of chassis will permit of the use of pneumatic tyres, now disapproved, so far as double-deck buses are concerned, by the Public Carriage Department of the Metropolitan Police. Their use will be of advantage to the passengers in the buses, to the conductor (whose health is all too little considered), to the vehicle, the highway and the inhabitants of premises adjoining the highway. MajorGen. Sir W. E. Ironsid General Officer Commandin interested in the six-wheeler demonstrated ac
A Noteworthy Exhibition.
Fr HE show devoted to the multitudinous pro1ducts centring on the chassis and tractors of one make, which Is now proceeding at the Holland Park Hall, London, is a really remarkable one and introduces a new idea in exhibitions, for it is the first of its kind on a large scale, and it cannot yet be rivalled by any other of the same class.
The chassis and tractors in question are produced in mass, and although each is complete in itself, -yet, necessarily, the price at which it is marketed means that only essentials can be provided. Consequently, there has grown up around them a great industry concerned in the production of all kinds of equipment and accessory which render them more capable of meeting efficiently the needs of many more_ classes of user than would be satisfied with the production model chassis or tractor.
Almost every sphere of transport is thus being catered for, and in no halfhearted way, many of t h e. auxiliary appliances and equipme n t s displaying excellent design an a true knowledge of the requirements of the particular class of user.
It is no reflection on the original models that this should be the case. No one type of machine can meet every need, but a large variety of models means a great increase in the cost of production, and from the point of view of cheapness it has certainly proved better to provide models which are the acme of simplicity and which will give good service for all ordinary purposes, allowing others to concern themselves with additions and modifications than to add to the difficulties of manufacture.