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WI1AT is believed to be the largest tyre in the world for road use has recently been completed in the Dunlop works. It is a 15.00-20-in, low-pressure type for commercial vehicles, and has a diameter of 51 ins. and a width of 151 ins. The load capacity is 4 tons 14 cwt. per tyre, or 9 tons 8 cwt. per axle. Two of these tyres weigh almost as much as a 7 h.p. small car. When the huge loads which this tyre has to carry are taken into consideration, it will be realized that the inflation pressure, which is in the region of 100 lb. per sq. in., Is very low.
FROM January 6th to 23rd an attractive models exhibition is being held in Dorland Hall, near Piccadilly Circus, London, W.1. It will represent transport in miniature and will indicate the many engineering achievements exemplified by the four main branches of transport—road, rail, shipping and aviation. A collective exhibit is being arranged by the Omnibus Society, with the co-operation of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., Thomas Tilling, Ltd., and provincial operators. The models shown will range from the early knifeboard buses to the latest luxury vehicles.
3318 IT has been found that the resistance to corrosion of chromium plating can be increased by heat treat ment. Experiments have shown that deposits heated for 30 minutes at 450 degrees F. would stand seven treatments with a spray of calcium chloride solution, without signs of failure, whilst unheated specimens usually fail after one preparation. A temperature of 200 degrees P. for 30 minutes appears to be the lowest limit at which any improvement is made.
The tests were carried out in the research laboratory of an American motor works.
AN interesting sidelight upon the trend of events on the manufacturing side of our industry is provided by the chief depot of General Motors, Ltd., at Hendon, London. A section of the works which, two years ago, was fully occupied in receiving and unpacking cases containing imported chassis for sale in this country, is now devoted to packing up and dispatching for export Bedford and Vauxhall chassis produced in England, SOME impression of the security and roadworthiness of the Beardmore multi-wheeled vehicles is gained from an incident which occurred when we were road-testing the Python 15-tonner which is the subject of our report published elsewhere in this issue. The machine was travelling along a wet, asphalt road at over 40 m.p.h. when the gentleman who was driving at the time—a personality very well known in the industry— turned to our representative, who was sitting beside him in the cab, and remarked : "I don't like the way sterling keeps falling, do you?"
A FEW days ago, R. A. Lister and Co., Ltd., gave a dinner to 500 of its salesmen from all over Great Britain, and representatives of associated companies overseas.
The guest of honour was Sir George Beharrell, who referred to some of the difficulties which are now occurring in promoting business overseas, par ticularly in respect of the embargo on the export of money from certain foreign countries.
As an example of this, he mentioned that one company with which he was connected had a sum laid up in currency abroad, and it was only possible to obtain this by making an exchange from currency to frogs with a professor in the country concerned, who was importing these for vivisection purposes.
THE present position of the passenger-transport industry is exemplified by the conditions at Ilfracombe, which is, of course, a favourite holiday resort. According to the Coaching Journal, the maximum number of coaches entering the town on any day last season was 25. For 1932 eight vehicles are to be permitted by the Western Traffic. Commissioners.