British " Artie " to Haul Bluebird
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BLUEBIRD; the gas-turbine-engined car now being prepared for Dona!,1 Campbell's attempt on the world land-speed record, is to be delivered to Utah, U.S.A., on a British articulated vehicle. This has been made possible by collaboration between Halls (Finchley). Ltcl,, who originated the idea, and Graham Adams, Ltd., who placed the order with Halls for the new tractor and will put it into normal service after it has completed its specialized and arduous
task. . .
Only two months ago the possibility of conveying the car by sea and road, instead of by air, was first mooted. Three weeks later a forward-control SD.4 tractor was ordered from Seddon Diesel Vehicles, Ltd., who built and delivered the vehicle, which carries much additional equipment, in five weeks. Some of the extra items had to be flown from America. .
A fourth and important member of tire group which has made the project possible is the Cummins Engine Co., Ltd., whose British-built NH 180 B engine is fitted in the tractor, The Cummins parent company are to assume responsibility for the haulage operation once the outfit and its load arc disembarked at New York.
Continental Crossing
From this point it is some 2,500 miles to the salt flats at Wendover, crossing almost the entire continent through extremes of climate and terrain. The most difficult section is expected to be the crossing of the Rocky Mountain range, during which the outfit will climb to 11,000 ft. above sea level in 800 miles under extremely dusty conditions.
To safeguard thelengine against dust. a large Donaclone dry air-cleaner has been fitted behind the cab, with its intake above roof level. To limit dust disturbance and conform with American practice, the exhaust pipe. is swept up behind the cab and discharges above it.
These are the only important departures from the normal specification of the SD.4 tractor, which is offered in two forms by Seddon for 24-ton and 32-ton gross train weights. The model chosen for this application is the 24-ton-gross version, which has a wheelbase of 9 ft.
The 11-litre direct-injection engine .develops 173 b.h.p. at 2,100 r.p.m. and a•// 495 lb.-ft. torque at 1,300 r.p.m.. Drive to the Kirkstall double-reduction rear axle, which has a ratio of 6.82 to 1, is taken through a 16-in.-diameter clutch and a David Brown constant-mesh fivespeed gearbox. This unit has a directdrive. top gear, permitting a maximum speed of about 55 m.p.h. It is envisaged that the outfit will be cruised at about 50 m.p.h. in the U.S.A.. to conform with normal long-distance haulage speeds. • As the load on the tractor will not approach the maximum permissible (Bluebird, in its packing case, complete with spare parts and other equipment, will weigh about 10 tons), lighter springs than usual are fitted at both front and rear to give a soft ride, and telescopic dampers assist the front suspension. The dualcircuit air-pressure braking system employed is powered by a Westinghouse compressor, charging twin reservoirs, and incorporates two-line trailer-brake couplings and a hand-control valve for the semi-trailer system. Because no semi-trailer manufacturer who was approached could meet the requirement in the time available, the tractor will be coupled to a platform semitrailer taken from the Adams fleet and brought back in their workshops to as new" condition. The Carrimore singleaxle semi-trailer has a 35-ft. platform, which will easily accommodate Bluebird under its 2-ton -cover.
As the projectile's many thousand horse-power are hardly suited for inching, the car will be hauled on to the semitrailer by a Thompson " 3-ton winch up a ramp, which has to be 4() ft. long because of the limited ground 'clearance of the car.
As the semi-trailer has vacuum brakes, it has been necessary to make special provision for them on the tractor. A Bendix vacuum pump is driven by belt from the dynamo to power the System, which incorporates a hand control valve to permit independent operation of th.f. semi-trailer brakes.
loiv-speefl Trials
Before embarking for the U.S.A. the outfit will be used in this country to convey the car from Motor Panels (Coventry), Ltd., where it is now nearing completion, to Goodwood for low-speed trials, then back to Coventry and' eventually to Southampton, Other British vehicles which will go to America with Bluebird include two LandRovers, which are to perform special duties during the " record-breaking attempts. They are being equipped by Price's (Earl Shilton), Ltd., Leicester,
Bluebird has disc brakes, which will reach a high temperature and must be cooled quickly at the end of each run to prevent distortion. A Land-Rover will be placed at each end. of the course to supply power for four cooling fans for the whole of the 55-minute turn-round periods.
One vehicle will have a *fast battery charger, and other equipment will include, a multi-stage air 'compressor. to charge the bottles in the car's braking system and the driver's breathing equipment.
Price's are also supplying a portable alternator to provide power to operate the portable timing apparatus positioned in the middle of the course.