Aeroplane Haulage and Transport.
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The commercial-motor industry is benefiting by the developments ot aeroplaning, and materially BO in connection with the military arm. Aeroplanes have to be towed, or transported on the platform of the vehicle as an alternative, in considerable numbers, and cm practically every day of the week. Whilst, therefore, the day may be far distant before we shall have aerobuses in rogular use, motor-hiring contractors are earning money from the receipt of orders for special transit (sometimes at quite " fancy " rates), and manufacturers are sharing the consequenc3s. in most-substantial fashion by orders for road vehicles. So far, it is the French maker who has done best, as the later portion of this article will make clear.
French commercial-motor manufacturers have not been long in feeling the advantages of the military development of the aeroplane. In connection with the Army manoeuvres that are being held around Saumur during the present month, seven factories—those of Panhard-Levassor, de Dion-Bouton, Delahaye, Aries, Brasier, Berliet, and Bayard-Clement—have delivered special vehicles. In each case, the order has comprised three large trucks for transporting aeroplanes, and six light wagonettes with trailers for carrying men and towing an aeroplane. This makes a total of 63 commercial-motor vehicles delivered for the aerial section taking part in the present French manoeuvres. The larger type of vehicle, or truck, is really a big motor wagon with extensible canvas hood over the entire body. The hoops which form the upper portion of the body are telescopic, thus allowing the height to be increased to such an extent that a full-sized aeroplane can be carried within it with no other dismounting than the folding of the wings. Thus, when the aeroplane is completely dismounted for long-distance travelling, the height of the canvas cover can naturally be diminished. These vehicles are intended both to carry the aeroplanes about from place to place and to afford adequate shelter for camping out. The wagonettes, of which 42 have now been delivered, have rear entrances with seats on each side for four men, making, with the front seat, a total carrying capacity of 10 men. A trailer, in the form of an improved handcart, is attached to the rear of the wagonette, and it is on this trailer that parts, wings; propellers, and engine details are carried to the aeroplanes in need of them. These vehicles are intended to give first aid to aeroplanes damaged in service, and they travel at fairly-high rates of speed.
Mechanically, there is not very much that is distinctive about the new Army trucks ; the Brasiers are unlike the others, by reason of their front drive. In addition to these vehicles, an order has been placed with the de Dion Bouton Co. for a number of travelling motor workshops. There will be one of these travelling shops for each " escadrille" of aeroplanes— an " escadrille" forming a group of eight to ten aeroplanes of the same type and make. These machines are driven by the standard de Dion-Bouton 18 h.p. motor ; each carries a lathe, a drilling machine, powerdriven saws, a forge, etc. A dynamo provides electric light, and the sides of the body can be let down to form a very commodious workshop. The duty of the repair vehicle is to keep with the headquarters staff, and to carry out practically all repairs which may be needed while in service. The equipment of the motor workshops is such that, unless a machine has been reduced to utter wreckage, it can be put into flying condition without its being sent back to the factory. These vehicles, being of a special type, are the exclusive property of the Army authorities. In addition, a large number of subsidized types of motor vehicles will be called up for service with the troops, for the entire Army-transport service will be assured by motor vehicles. A number of the Paris General Omnibus Co.'s vehicles will be temporarily fitted up to act as meat wagons, the seats being removed, the glass windows replaced by wire-gauze ones, and the quarters of meat hung from hooks on the hand-rails. Thus does France lead in aeroplane developments and military applications, and thus do the French makers of commercial motors already reap a reward which has yet to come the way of our leading British makers. That business has yet to be done.