A N interesting ex ample of t he manner in which
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motor engineering is being specialized , is afforded by an advertisement published in The Commercial Motor for last week. This concerns a vacant position for. a calculator required for a designing department, to deal exclusively with stress, deflection anti other calculations relating to the design of commercial • vehicles. Not long ago the average technical draughtsman was himself expected to do much of this work, and that is the situation which still exists in many factories.
A RECENT visit to the service station and show rooms of Dagenham Motors, Ltd„ Ford distributors for the county of London, impressed us greatly with the remarkable potentialities of such B2G a large concern in the heart of the West End.
The service equipment is most comprehensive and there is a series of service schemes varying in cost from 3s. 6d. to 15s., the highest price covering what is normally regarded as a monthly overhaul, including such items as tracking the wheels, equalizing brakes and changing the engine oil.
NATURE lovers are very often inclined to be cranks, but few are quite so far gone in their enthusiasm as a driver we encountered the other day. Fastened on the side of his lorry cab was half of a meaty coco-nut, and he said that he always kept one there in winter time, thinking that, when he had to pull up in the country, the birds might come and feed off it. So far, he admitted, none had taken advantage of this travelling canteen. THE impression still exists in the minds of many that the driver of a steam wagon has a " greenhouse" existence when at the wheel. It is interesting to note that, in the case of one of the latest Sentinels with fully enclosed cabs, the temperature inside was found to be but six degrees Fahr. above that of the air passing the windows.
SPEAKING before the St. Louis section of the Society of Automotive Engineers, an American engineer claimed many advantages for short connecting rods and pistons and full-length water jackets, the improved cooling resulting being beneficial in controlling piston expansion, whilst shortening the rods reduces the reciprocating weight as well as the weight and bulk of the whole engine. The maximum side pressure of the piston occurs near the beginning of the stroke at a point where the long rod gives little benefit. IT appears that our new mobile police are to devote their time to all forms of traffic and not exclusively to the motor part thereof. They are to be seen engaged in directing drivers of horsed vehicles to keep closer to the kerb, and instances have occurred of "parked" drays being moved on to points where traffic congestion is less obvious. Such procedure is all to the good, and if it continues to be helpful rather than officious the new force will prove of benefit to those who have to pay for its vehicles and upkeep.
WHILE in Peru, prior to his flight to Arequipa, the Prince of Wales made a journey in an A.E.C. Regal single-deck bus. It was one recently placed in the service of the Metropolitan Bus Co. of Lima. After his trip His Royal Highness was reported to have said, "1 didn't believe travel in a motorbus could be so comfortable:,