A TESTING VAN FOR ELECTRICAL WORK
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The Engineering Department of the G.P.O. Has Recently Ordered this Albion Chassis, Fitted with an Interesting Duple Body.
FOR the reason that the G.P.O. has, naturally, a monopoly in most of Its many particular branches of operation, the special vehicles made to the orders of its various departments are nearly always unusual and, therefore, interesting. A van which may be said to come within this category has recently been produced for the testing section of the engineering department for use in connection with the telegraph and telephone service. The upkeep of these services is almost vital to the country, so far as general business is concerned, so efficient equipment must be used, consequently it is a compliment to the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., that a 30-cwt. typeSB24 chassis of its make is used as the basis for the vehicle in question, and to Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd.. Edgware Road, Hendon, London, N.W.10, which has been chosen as the builder of the body.
Our illustrations show that although the van is a trifle high in its general lines, its appearance is quite pleasing. Incidentally, a clear 6 ft. headroom is allowed in the body, owing to the fact that men will have to work there while standing at the benches, to which we will again refer later in the article. The vehicle is finished in dark green, with the wings in black.
Entrance to the interior is gained by means of two swing doors at the rear.— a door of this type is also provided in the forward bulkhead giving access to the driver's compartment over the attendant's seat, the back of which folds down for the purpose. The cab is also provided with a door on each side, drop windows being incorporated in each entrance, as is the case with the rear doors. Ventilation is provided by louvres, which can be covered by binged shutters fitted on the inside. The framework of the body is in oak,' the panelling being carried out in aluminium. So much for general details. The Interior equipment of the van forms its most interesting feature, inasmuch as it is to be used as what is virtually a travelling workshop. We understand that should a.
breakdown breakdown occur in the telegraph or telephone systems, the vehicle is to be rushed to the point where the fault has occurred and the Post Office engineers will there connect up the necessary circuits with the testing ins trum eats carried in the van by means of plugs provided in the rear panel of the body. When in ie:c these instru ments are placed on the benches, already referred to, which are of the double-folding type and held up to the wall, when not needed, by means of leather straps. These fittings, which are of mahogany, with sturdy supports hinged to fold flat against the wall, run
down both sides of van at a convenient height for working.
The benches are well provided with light, both natural and artificial, two glass lights being provided in each side of the body and powerful lamps fixed to the undersides of the six lockers, which are attached to the walls above , the benches on both sides of the body.
A large wooden box carried under the rear of the body is specially noticeable. Two flexible pipes, one on each side, connect it with the interior of the van, ordinary stopper-type plugs being used to close the openings in the floor leading to the two tubes when their use is not required. This box contains two drums on which can be wound lengths of cable, the last mentioned being passed through the flexible pipes.