A Trio of Vehicles for Exploration
Page 58
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Win" the aid of the modern motor vehicle it is possible to carry out comprehensive exploration in a Period of time which is but a tithe of that required when other means for transport are employed. A motor-equipped exploration party is soon setting out and will commence operations in Senegal, crossing Africa to Somaliland, and going thence to Cairo, following the Red Sea so far as possible. From there the expedition will return to London. The party consists of Cpptain R. B. Andrew, Captain S. M. E. Tallman, Mr. T. A. Glover and Mrs. Glover.
The chassis employed for the three vehicles which they will use are International Six-speed Special 30-cwt. models. These are, of course, handled in this country by the Inter B40 national Harvester Co, of Great Britain, Ltd., 259, City Road, London, RCA. The three bodies, of which every part is interchangeable with the corresponding item on either of the other vehicles, have been built by the Lambeth Motor Body Works, Ltd., Guildford Street, London S.E.1. Considerable ingenuity has been displayed in making every part quickly removable ; except for the platform in each ease, every body unit can be lifted by one man.
The bodies are held to the chassis by accessibly placed U-clips, so that the coachwork can be removed and, by coupling together the three platforms, a useful bridge can be built over streams, with the aid of boats or other supporting media. All the detachable sides, tailboards and fronts ' can, together, make a temporary track over loose sand, covering some 50 yds. To facilitate shipment, the cab of each lorry is easily dismantled. In some two minutes the dash, two sides, back and roof can be separated and packed. The seat base is in one piece ; its removal uncovers the tank, batteries and part of the transmission, giving good accessibility. On each body there are four racks to carry three 2-gallon cans apiece, so that the total quantity of liquid—fuel, oil and drinking water—is 24 gallons per lorry. India tyres, 32 ins, by 6 ins., are employed, and the chassis are standard in every way.