A COVERED-IN DOUBLE-DECKER FOR OVERSEAS.
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Further Details of the Large-capacity A.E,C. Bus Just Shipped to the Argentine Where it Is to be Widely Demonstrated.
IN OLTfl issue dated January 27th we published preliminary details of the A.E.C. covered-in double-decker bus which has recently been completed for service in Buenos Aires. The vehicle. was shipped some days ago to Agar Cross and Co., Ltd., on board the s.s. 'El Paraguayo," being accompanied by n representative of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. It was not cased, as is often the practice with vehicles shipped overseas, but was stowed on deck with certain protection for the glass and bodywork.
The vehicle is to be operated and demonstrated in the Argentine, and it is expected that this bus, which is representative of modern British practice, will create a good impression in this country.
So far as the chaisis is concerned, it is of the N.S. type, which incorporates iii its construction a 35 hp. four-eylinder engine, a single-plate clutch, A three-speed chaiu gearbox, and an tinderslung worm-driven axle, the final drive being 133 internal gears in the rear wheels.
• The 52-seater bus body, with which the vehicle is equipped, was constructed by Short Bros. (Rochester and Bedford), Ltd., of Rochester„and one of its outstanding features is the enclosed top deck. The detachable tap is fitted over a convex top rail of the lower structure, a .method of construction which gives a weatherproof joint.
The vehicle is arranged to seat 52 passengers, 26 in each saloon. The lower saloon has fold-over windows of • thc detachable type, whilst those in the upper deck are of the balanced type and can be regulated in any position. The
framed ventilators in the lower saloon,fitted over the main lights, are hinged on their bottom edges and are provided with L.G.O. patent anti-rattle togglejoint. fasteners.
The upholstery in both the upper and lower decks is carried out in rattan, and the squabs of the transverse seats are made to be detachable. Adequate lighting is provided for each saloon, six aluminium electric light fittings being installed in both decks. All Windows are provided with green blinds on spring rollers as protection against the sun, and these are made to clip down.
One of the special features of the bus is the exceptionally low-loading height, the floor of the vehicle when the bus is fully laden being only 13 ins, from the ground. The conductor's platform is of such dimensions that passengers are able to alight from the top deck whilst„ others are either entering or leaving the interior.
Instead of the usual monogram on the top tank of the radiator, the appellation " Acilo " is to be found, this having been rendered necessary for registration abroad. The weight of the complete vehicle unladen is 5 tons 9 cwt. 1 qr. 2 /b.
The bus certainly incorporates many up-to-date refinements, and, whilst being of strongand durable construction, is made as light as possible commensurate with rigidity. The main framing of the body is extremely strong, so that the vehicle is quite capable of standing up to hard work under good average
road conditions. Moreover, as the centre of gravity of the bus is particularly low, the utmost stability is assured under all running conditions which are likely to be encountered.
We might once again refer to the fact that every part of this type of body is built to jig, and the floors, sides, roofs and other parts are assembled separately, spray-painted where required, and by these means it is possible to erect them with the utmost expedition.