Operators' Choice
Page 70
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Normal-control Chassis for Mobile Library
MOBILE libraries are in current demand by a number of local authorities, and among the bodybuilders who have secured an order of this kind are G. C. Smith (Coachworks), Long Whatton, Loughborough, Leics. They have delivered a Leyland Comet mobile library to Northumberland County Council. The chassis chosen for the purpose is unusual as it is a normalcontrol type. The cab and body are integral, and there is little rear overhang.
Messrs. Robirch, Burton-on-Trent, ham and bacon curers, were other customers of G. C. Smith, having bought a Commer long-wheelbase 7-tonner with refrigerated boxvan body. The floor of this vehicle was covered with glass-fibre materials.
Other bodybuilders with work from curers are BonaHack and Sons, Ltd., Basildon, who have built a mobile salesdisplay vehicle for Marsh and Baxter, Ltd., Brierley Hill, Staffs. It is based on a Karrier Bantam chassis.
Power for internal lighting is provided by a 230v. generator with constantvoltage control and a GEZ turboinverter. Shelves and cabinets are veneered with Formica. In the roof is a fixed light and two Weathershields ventilators. A germicidal tube is fitted.
Orders to the value of £50,000 have been taken by Messrs. Wales and Edwards [proprietors, Kennings (Shrews
bury), Ltd.] for three-wheeled delivery vehicles with air-cooled oil engines. This model has a payload capacity of 25-30 cwt. and is claimed to return 27-32 m.p.g. on rounds with 200 stops. All-plastics bodywork may be fitted.
It is stated that interest in the design is now being taken by smaller operators. Initial production was wholly absorbed by big undertakings.
Seven. Guy Invincible tankers are being delivered to the Regent Oil Co., Ltd., by T.G,B. Motors, Ltd., Clitheroe. These will bring Regent's Guy fleet to a total of 20. The vehicles have a capacity. of 3,500 gallons. Gardner 6LW and 6LX engines have been specified, and automatic chassis lubrication is installed. The vehicles will be used to deliver fuel from various depots to service stations.
Buyers of the Albion Victor have included Messrs. E. Bulleyment, Howden, Yorks, hauliers, and John Walker and Sons, Ltd.. Kilmarnock, whisky distillers. Bulleyment selected the chassis makers' standard cab, whilst Walker chose a coachbuilt design with twin wrap-round windscreen panels.
Oxford University Press have purchased four Morris vans from Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., The Vale, London, W.5. The 2-3-ton forward-control chassis have Cunard bodywork with sliding doors. The near-side door gives access to the load section of the vehicle through an aperture in the bulkhead.
A Morris 7-tonner which Wadhams, Ltd.; •Waterlooville, Hants, suppliedto Messrs. Warren's Transport, Alton, was equipped with a Boys third axle because it will be used to carry special equipment for the Atomic Energy Authority.
This could not be accommodated on a normal four-wheeler because of its length and weight distribution. The driven axle is of the Eaton two-speed type, and power steering is provided. Tyres are 9.00 by 20 12-ply. The vehicle may travel to Italy and Sweden.
Loading Patients
To facilitate the loading of patients in wheelchairs, a Burton wood tailboard elevator was fitted to a Morris ambulance bought by Reading Corporation from fiewens' Garages, Ltd., Reading. Space for chairs is amply provided in the specially designed body built by Wad ham Bros. (Coachbuilders), Ltd., Waterlooville, Hants, Genefax Transport, Ltd., a subsidiary concern of General Refractories, Ltd., Sheffield, have ordered 22 Leyland Comet, Super Comet, Hippo and Octopus models with Pilot tipping gear and metal bodies. When operating as tippers they will carry sand, and as ordinary platform lorries their loads will be refractory bricks placed on pallets.
B.P. (Australia), Ltd., have placed an 8,000-gallon aircraft refueller in service. The prime mover is a Leyland Hippo with a 4,000-gallon tank, whilst the sixwheeled trailer has a tank of similar capacity. The vessels were made by Cromac Pty., Ltd., Melbourne. Delivery rate is over 400 g.p.m.