Mobile Offices for the Army
Page 45
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THE first consignment of a number of Morris-Commercial staff offices has been delivered to the War Office. These vehicles, larger than their wartime counterparts, were designed primarily for administration purposes at headquarters formations. Their mobility is increased by their independence of one particular source of electricity supply for the fan and interior lamps: a cable attached to the junction box enables the vehicles, during operations, to plug in to any mains supply.
In addition each vehicle carries spare batteries which may be used in an emergency Complete self-sufficiency could be given on active service by operating in conjunction with a mobile generator vehicle. Lighting fittings, fans, cables and other electrical equipment were supplied by the General Electric Co., Ltd.
The bodywork. which is mounted on a standard Morris-Commercial longwheelbase 5-ton ' chassis, provides the maximum office accommodation for four persons, with an interior 15 Et. 6 ins, long by 7 ft. 1 in. wide and about 6 ft. 3 ins. high. The rear door and the four windows are all of the sliding pattern. The roof is cambered for strength and to facilitate the drainage of rain. Steps at the rear fold back when not in use.
The vary:ng temperatures and extremes of climates to which these vehicles may be subjected make it imperative that an even temperate atmosphere inside is maintained. For this reason the body consists of a double shell, the outer part being of steel and the inner skin of hardboard.
As the vehicle moves, the circulation of air in the cavity between the two shells effectively insulates the interior of the body from extremes of heat. When the vehicle is parked and connected to a 230-volt power supply, a G.E.C. 7i-in. exhaust fan in the roof expels stale air from the office, a provision which is of particular benefit when the black-out shutters are up.
The Ministry of Supply demanded that the internal lighting should provide an adequate level of illumination, not only for paper work on desks and tables, but also for reading the map boards on the walls. This called for six specially designed tungsten fittings which are recessed in the ceiling to a depth of 2 ins. Each of these accommodates one 40-watt Osram pearl lamp, whilst a 12-watt bulb has been incorporated in each of the two ceiling fittings over the map boards for use in an emergency or as pilot lights when the vehicle is in motion.
The terminal boards on the front of the body on the outside were also supplied by G.E.C.