Thornycroft's for Military Service in the Argentine A MONGST recent shipments
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made by John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., is one against an interesting repeat order received from the Argentine Ministry of War for a substantial number of rough-track rigid six-wheeled . tractor chassis which will be fitted with locally built military-type bodywork by Thornycroft's own branch in Buenos Aires. These vehicles are of the maker's improved Amazon class, designed specially for cross-country work, and incorporate many novel features, some of which have been patented.
The ;mean wheelbase is 11 ft. 9 ins., which, with the setting-back of the front axle, provided a chassis with a small turning circle and moderate overall length, yet with a substantial body space. This arrangement of the front axle also greatly adds to the accessibility of the power unit and gives better distribution of the load over the three axles.
The engine is a six-cylindered petrol unit, developing 106 b.h.p. and having a bore and stroke of 111 mm. and 133.4 ram. respectively. In addition to the ordinary four-speed gearbox, an auxiliary gearbox is fitted which enables gradients up to 1 in 3 to be negotiated provided that the road surface is sufficiently hard to enable the wheels to obtain a grip. On the high gears, the maximum road speed in top gear is approximately 37 m.p.h.
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Of particular interest is the .design of the rear bogie, which consists of two driving axles coupled together as closely as possible and incorporating a suspension system that permits of 9 ins. difference in axle levels and allows either axle to tilt to 13 degrees. At the point of maximum articulation one wheel is approximately 18 ins, above the other.
Special attention has been given to the question of brake efficiency, and three vacuum servo cylinders are incorporated in the brake system.
The tyre equipment consists of 11.28-20-in. single low-pressure tyres on all wheels and for use over soft ground, non-skid band tracks can be
• fitted over the wheels of the rear bogie, thereby temporarily turning the machine into one of the chain-track type. As these vehicles will be employed for towing either trailers or guns, a laminated spring drawbar with a 3-in, jaw is attached to the rear of the frame.