Austin Introduces
Page 41
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Three 4 x
Models
A I-ton General-purpose Military Vehicle and a 5-cwt. Jeep-type Machine Filling Two Distinct Roles
THREE new 4 x 4 models—one a military version of the 2-tonner, the second a 5-cwt. cross-country vehicle and the third a personnelcarrier based on the 5-cwt, chassis— will be shown by the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., Longbridge, Birmingham, at Earls Court.
A 90 b.h.p. six-cylindered overheadvalve petrol engine is used in the 1-tonner, the drive being taken by an 11-in.-diameter clutch to the main gearbox, which provides five forward speeds.
A transfer box having ratios of 1 to 1 and 1 to 1.47, is separately mounted on cross-members at a point mid-way in the length of the chassis. Three tubular propeller shafts, with needle-rollerbearing joints, couple the main and transfer gearboxes and the transfer box to the front and rear axles
Interchangeable Components
The centre casing, spiral-bevel gear and differential assembly of both axles • are identical, the front-axle drive being through Tracta constant-velocity joints.
• Auxiliary leaves are fitted to the rear semi-elliptic springs and progressive rubber buffers, which function as part of the suspension system, are provided at the front and rear.
Spring action is controlled by I A-in. diameter shock absorbers at the front and rear. Towing shackles are fitted to the front end of the frame, and a towing hook and a connection for taking a trailer at the rear end. The wheels carry 9.00 x 20-in. tyres. A pump, driven from the power take-off of the main gearbox, is provided for tyre inflation.
Road speeds at 1,000 r.p.m. of the engine are: High range, first, 2.93 m.p.h., second 5.56 m.p.h., third 11.30 m.p.h. and top, 19.33 m.p.h. The respective speeds in the low range are 1.99, 3.78, 7.67 and 13.13 m.p.h.
General dimensions of the vehicle are: wheelbase, 11 ft. 5 5/16 ins.; front track, 5 ft. 11 ins.; rear track, 5 ft. 11 ins.; overall length, 17 ft. 3 9/16 ins.; overall width, 7 ft. 21 ins.; the approximate unladen weight is 3/ tons.
The all-steel cab seats two persons and the interior is sprayed with antidrum material. Provision is made in the cab for carrying special equipment. Steel is used also for the body, the internal dimensions of which are: Length, 7 ft. 11 ins.; width, 6 ft.; depth, 2 ft. 11 ins. A cotton-canvas tilt fits over a tubular-steel superstructure.
The Champ cross-country 5-cwt. vehicle has a four-cylindered overheadvalve petrol engine developing 78 b.h.p. at 3,750 r.p.m. A 10-in.-diameter clutch takes the drive to a unit-mounted fivespeed synchromesh main gearbox. A transfer box, attached to the forward end of the rear-axle casing. embodies gear reduction of 1.028 to 1. The transfer-gear casing also carries the winch or power take-off drive which is selected by a separate lever placed between the front seats. The axle drive shafts, Tracta constant-velocity joints and differential assemblies of both axles are interchangeable. Both axles have hypoid-bevel gearing.
All wheels are independently suspended by torsion-bar springs and wishbone arms, in conjunction with I-in.-bore telescopic dampers. Dunlop 6.50 x 16-in. Trakgrip tyres are fitted to the divided-type wheels.
In the all-steel open four-seater body the rear-seat cushion is hinged at the front edge, so that it may be lifted forward to form a flat floor.
This machine has a wheelbase of 7 ft., is 12 ft. long and 5 ft. 11 ins. wide. Its unladen weight is just over II. tons.
Fan Has Automatic Clutch
The specification of the personnel carrier is generally similar to that of the Champ, some of the main differences being as follows: it has a 10-bladed fan fitted with an automatic clutch for wading; the fuel pump and carburetter are waterproofed; suspension dampers are of 11-ins. bore, and 7.50 x 16-in. tyres are fitted. A 24-volt fully waterproofed electrical system is used and the engine speed is governed to 3,75C r.p.m., equivalent to about 60 m.p.h.
To enable the vehicle to wade through water up to 5 ft. deep, a stack pipe may be attached to the ait intake, the petrol tank, ignition distributor and rocker cover being ventilated by piping up to the air intake of the engine. The gearbox and axles are also waterproofed.