Wood or Metal ?—An Operator's Experiment T HE experience of the
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Kraft Cheese Co., Ltd., Hayes; Middlesex, which operates a large fleet of vehicles embracing England and Scotland, is that bodies built of wood are not entirely satisfactory. One of the reasons, no doubt, is concerned with the variations in the quality of some of the timber at present made available for bodybuilding,.
-In consequence of this, the company is experimenting with a new type of body of metal construction which has been built by Metal Commercial Bodies,
Lid., 79, High Road, Woodford, London, E.18. The body frame is built up of light alloy of " top-hat " section, the method of fabrication being by welding. • The panelling is in 18,gauge duralumin, which is riveted to the frame members to form a particularly strong assembly. Roller shutters are provided at the rear and oti.the near side. Shelving is carried outin light alloy, rigidity being imparted to the shelves by using corrugated material.
A noteworthy feature is the manner in which the frame members have been • made to conform to • a narrow-angle curve at the four top corners of the body. " Top-hat " section material does not lend itself to excessive bending withOut deformation, so in this case a series of V-cuts is made in the material, a tight bend is made, and the member is finally welded.
The floor of the body is in wood, as a non-slip surface was an essential.
Special claims made for this method of body construction are lightness, combined with strength and durability, and it is expected that the last-named two features will prove themselves during operation in Scotland. The finish is in the operator's attractive colour scheme, which is yellow with black lettering. A departure from the usual • scheme adopted .by the company, of a broad blue .line running round the body, is foUnd in .a new decorative effect in blue finish at 'each corner of the body.
Based on a Fordson Thames 5-ton chassis, the vehicle was supplied by Godfrey Davis, •Ltd., Neasden Lane, London, N.W.10.