World's Largest Articulated Refueller
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AT is claimed to be the world's largest articulated tfueller for aircraft has been placed in service at London rt by the Esso Petroleum Co., Ltd. The vehicle, which Foden FRTU 6/70 tractive unit, has a jet-fuel capacity )00 imp. gal, and can dispense fuel at a rate of 1,000 g.p.m. new vehicle is known as the Python and its overall length 1 8 in. Its unladen weight is 25 tons and it is expected :rate at up to 70 tons gross train weight with full tanks. lin Metallic F20 tyres are used all round. The tractive ; virtually a standard Foden heavy-duty model and is ed by a Rolls-Royce C6NFR six-cylindered 210 b.h.p. ;irte. The governed speed has been set at 2,500 r.p.m. mping purposes. The power passes through a 12-speed e-underdrive) gearbox into the double-reduction axles bogie. The rear-axle ratio is 7.4 to 1.
G. Campbell, manager, motor department, and Mr. Townley, senior engineer, motor department, formulated sign. The semi-trailer was built by the Steel Barrel Co.. Jxbridge. and incorporates Carrimore running gear. The -ailer is divided into three main compartments and the r is treated with Tanclene epoxy-type paint. Avery
II equipment is fitted and special waterLion filters have been developed by Purolator, Ltd.
The Python differs from the earlier Plutos and Super Plutos, also used by Esso at London Airport, in having all the pumping gear on the tractor. A special turntable has been designed in which the fuel pipes pass through a hollow-centre turntable section permanently attached to the semi-trailer. This upper turntable has a king-pin engaging in the Davis Magnet 111th wheel of the tractor, but no rotation takes place at this joint.
A full-torque power take-off has been developed by Fodens, Ltd., to drive the hydraulic generator which feeds the motors of the two Pegson pumps, this arrangement having been designed and manufactured by Andrew Fraser, Ltd. The installation of the pumps on the tractive unit simplifies design and operation, and will enable the tractor to be used by itself as a mobile boosting station should a projected hydrant pipeline system be installed at London Airport. Aircraft defuelling can be carried out at a rate of 150 g.p.m.
The Python has been developed principally to cope with the refuelling demands made by present and future long-distance jet aircraft, such as the Boeing 707. the Douglas DC8 and the De Havilland Comet. A Boeing 707 long-distance aircraft has a tankage of 19,000 imp. gal. and could be refuelled in less than 10 minutes by the use of two Pythons, a job which at present takes up to half an hour with three Super Plutos.