Salvaging Blitzed Van Bodies
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ONE aspect of enemy bombing raids on this country, which is of direct interest to commercial,vehide operators, is that which may result from damage to rolling stock' through the effects of blast or splinters. Chassis are not so likely to he harmed in this way as are bodies, particularly those of the van type which, by reason of the surface area presented, are likely to
s u ff r something
More than superficial damage. It must not be assumed, however, that because such a body suffers structural distortion or exterior damage it has to be written off, and support for this statement is to be found in the experience of Messrs. Wokingham , Pantechnicon, Broad Street, Wokingham, Berks, who have performed a valuable national service in enabling many such blitzed bodies to be retrieved, efficiently repaired, and quickly brought back into service.
The problems that have to be faced in tackling such work vary between wide limits, because the effects of bomb explosion are often of a freakish character, although typical injuries include bulging sides, split framework members, loosening of supports, and panel scars.
The nature and extent of the damage are often determined by whether the van is completely enclosed or not, and when it is it appears that the body is compressed by the force of the explosion, being followed by a partial vacuum which results in the sides being sucked outwards. That, at least, has been the experience of Elys, Ltd., the Furniture-removals concern, of Wimbledon, London, S.W., which has bad a number of vans so severely damaged in air raids that it has been necessary to rebuild them. , Many of the vans operated by
Messrs Randalls, of Uxbridge, bore evidence of a blitz of last year, and one pf them—the Dodge 3-tonner, shown in an accompanying picture— was in its garage when a bomb fell in the yard immediately outside. the garage doors. In this case the splinters
all travelled roughly parallel with t h e ground so that the damage was confined to the tyres, the skirt of the panelling and the van well, which was badly cut up. Other vans in the garage at the same time were similarly affected.
Incidentally, this excellent example of mobile publicity won high commendation in America when it was pictorially shown in the " National Journal of Advertising " as an outstanding example of British van design. The body capacity. is 1,175 cubit ft., and the main section is 17 ft. 6 inS. long, 8 ft, 9 ins, high, and 6 ft. 9 ins, wide, the Luton portion being 4 ft. long, .4 ft. 6 ins, high, and 6 ft. 9 ins. wide.
In common with many other blitzed vans, a Bedford long-wheelbase 3-tonner, fun by Messrs. Buck's Transport, of Eitham, London, SE., suffered the typical injuries which accompany
blast, that is to gay, it appeared as if the explosion had taken place within the body itself. The sides were bulging and •split and, immediately behind the cab, the member's had been forced away from the bulkhead. This vehicle has a capacity of 1,200 cubic ft., and the main-section dimensions are 18 ft. 6 ins. long, 8 ft. 6 ins, high and 6 ft. 9 ins, wide, the Luton section over the driver's cab adding appreciably to the cubic capacity.
The experience of Messis. Mousells, of Liverpool, is an instance where a• vehicle was completely written off as a result of enemy action, and the firm obtained the necessary' permit to acquire a new vehicle of the type shown in an accompanying illustration. It is a Bedford• 5-6-tonner, with a capacity of 1,000 cubic ft., and the .rear is enclosed by a panelled canopy supported in the open position by two side irons, which are permanently fixed to the canopy and facilitate the operation of the flap. In this .case, the main body, is, 15 ft. 3 ins. long, S ft. 6 ins, high, and 6 ft. 9 ins, wide, the comparable dimensions of the Luton section being 4 ft. 6 ins., 4 ft. 3 ins.,
and 6 ft. 9 ins. respectively. .
Another instance of Wokingharn workmanship is to be found in the case of the vehicle in the service of Ede and Co., the removal-contracting concern, the body of which was no match
for a land-mine that fell outside the garage in whith the van was housed. In this case, the Bedford 3-ton longWheelbase chassis was extended and strengthened to take a body longer than standard. It has a capacity •of 1,258 cubic ft. and the main body is 18 ft. 6 ins. long, 8 ft. 9 ins. high, and 6.-ft.
9 ins. wide. This van incorporates several features of outstanding interest, including Dunlop rubber front wings, a second petrol tank connected to the carburetter. by a branch pipe having a two-way tap to control the supply, and a light in the cab for the use of the driver.