Electrified Bodywork for Riot Vans A FEATURE of a number of
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Thomycroft riot-squad vans being supplied to the Singapore Police Force is the installation of high-tension generators to electrify the all-steel bodies and so deter rioters from attempting to board or overturn the vehicles.
The chassis are fitted with oil engines to minimize fire risk, and heavy wiremesh grilles protect the windscreen and windows against missiles. Excellent vision for the control officer is afforded by the conning tower above the driver's cab. This tower is equipped with an 11-in, searchlight, a sub-machine gun, a warning bell and an electrical indicator board for showing signals to members of the squad deployed in front of the van. A loud-hailer, coupled to a record-player, is used for relaying warnings in the various tongues spoken in the city.
Double doors at the rear and a single door on the near side provide exit for the squad; and red warning lights above the doors indicate whether the generator is in action or not.
Thirty-two men can be carried in the vehicles of 13-ft. 6-in, wheelbase and 19 men in the 10-ft. wheelbase vans.
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