DROPS Somme!l topples on test
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• Questions have been raised in the House of Commons about an accident involving a Scammell 8 x 6 rigid which overturned during preliminary trials with the British Army on its controversial DROPS (Demountable rack off-loading and pick-up system) testing programme.
The accident, which happened in November 1987, injuring the driver, came to light when Chesham and Amersham MP Sir Ian Gilmour tabled the questions last month. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Scammell was taking part in figure-of-eight manoeuvres when it turned over.
RARDE, the army's engineering establishment, investigated the accident and Commercial Motor understands that the Scammell has now been fitted with smaller wheels and tyres.
The truck is now back on evaluation. The testing programme centres on 12 mediummobility and seven improvedmobility Fa:len and Leyland Daf Scammell military trucks fitted with the Multi-Lift mark four high-lift system. This system was chosen against competition from Powell Duffryn and The Boughton Group. The latter system, which was eliminated at a very early stage, was said to offer the lowest possible centre of gravity to improve roll-over security and to allow the passage of ISO containers under West German autobahn bridges. Although fit ting smaller wheels and tyres to the Scammell on test may lower its centre of gravity and avoid possible overturns in the future, the MoD is understood to be concerned about the consequent reduction in the truck's off-road mobility.