Bird's Eye

12th May 1967, Page 93

12th May 1967

Page 93

Page 93, 12th May 1967 — Bird's Eye

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ViewBY THE HAWK

Top Secret

Trs all very hush-hush. . . but an attempt was made to destroy 1 nine Bulwark United Transport Ltd. Seddon 30-ton-gross tankers at Duxford RAF aerodrome, or. Cambridge, this week. The Seddons escaped unscathed. But three non-Bulwark tanks mounted on conventional tandem axles and coupled to an ERF and two Atkinson tractive units were blown up.

Bulwark's London manager, L. Ian Hickson, confirmed this yesterday. "It's true," he said. And explained: "As you know, we normally carry bulk liquids, powders and gases. But inside our tankers at Duxford were rockets with nuclear warheads, computers and troops. Somehow this fact was 'leaked' to the 'enemy' and the tankers were attacked."

Master Mind

NOW,before the men of M15/6 descend on me, let me hastily

explain that it was all jolly good fun film fun. . . for the new Michael Caine epic, "Billion Dollar Brain", now being shot at Pinewood Studios and on location by Harry Salzman.

Men who enjoyed the episode most were the Bulwark drivers: they scorned an offer that they should be replaced by stunt men and flung their tankers about through the gunfire in a manner that brought cheers from the cameramen.

Notable Absentee

REMEMBER the publicity that Sir Alfred McAlpine and Sons Ltd. received last January in connection with tipping operators' rates for the infilling of the Abergele-Llandulas by-pass? I see that two more small operators have been granted B licences to work for this contractor—this time on the Farnworth-Kearsley by-pass. McAlpine was rather conspicuous by its absence as a customer witness on this occasion. Does it intend in future only to support its hauliers with letters and if so will Licensing Authorities feel this is sufficient evidence?

Slain the Mhah

ME hundred and fifty tipper operators gathered together last eek in Scotland. The occasion was the Fife and District Tipper Operators Association annual dinner. Not all of the operators were from "the Kingdom"; they also came from Edinburgh and Glasgow to this function.

And guess what topic followed the speeches? Yes, that's right— rates. But what staggered me was the number of differences ironed out during these "spirited" discussions.

Helping Hand

T AST week 1,500 questionnaires were sent out by IRTE to 1--/ ordinary and associate members asking for details of commercial vehicles registered before 1967 and makes and models of trailers for which no satisfactory solution to brake conversion appears likely in time to meet the January 1 deadline.

These questionnaires were the result of a recent visit to the Permanent Secretary at the MoT, by IRTE president Sir William Swallow, and four members of the Institute, to offer the Institute's professional knowledge because of the enormous task which is facing MoT. IRTE secretary J. A. Fletcher informed a colleague that so far 500 of the questionnaires have been completed.

Busmen's Holiday

AFORMER Eastern National double-decker bus set out on a trip with a difference last Saturday. In place of the EN green livery, the 1950 Bristol bus was painted red, white and blue—and fitted with running water, a shower, and wallpapered kitchen, lounge and bedrooms.

The passengers are two bus drivers, two conductors, a clippie and a fitter—and a punch-card operator. Their journey began at Basildon, Essex. And they will tour France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium and possibly Gibraltar and Tangiers.

The bus cost the party £100 several months ago and about E400 has been spent fitting it out.

Million miler

ONE of the few men to have driven a million miles in commercial vehicles has just retired from Dunlop's test fleet after 41 years' service with the company. He is Peter Gallett, who has probably driven more miles on commercial vehicles than any other tyre tester: he has clocked up 1,135,987 miles since he joined the test fleet in 1934.

A creditable feat, methinks, especially considering the legal restrictions on speed and driving hours, and the fact that heavy vehicles of only a few years ago were designed with less comfort than those in use today.

My Lords . . .

'THE Lord Mayor of London, the Lord Biship of London, the 1 Lord Mayor of Westminster, the mayors of several London boroughs, a bench of MPs representing London constituencies and many other notables applauded three men on Monday—three commercial vehicle drivers.

Occasion was the opening by GLC chairman Sir Percy Rugg of the London Accident Prevention Council's golden jubilee road safety exhibition in Charing Cross Underground station. Men in the limelight were drivers H. J. Arnold, of BR's Midland Region, C. E. Haigh, of Peek Frean and Co. Ltd., and F. C. Turner, of United Dairy (London) Ltd. They joined the select (16) band of other London drivers who have received RoSPA 40-year safe driving awards.

think that three features (at least) of the exhibition itself are worth repeating throughout the country: an animated road model with recorded commentary giving recommended procedure at roundabouts; quiz panels on the new road signs; and a magnetic road layout with police experts answering roadcraft queries.