WHEELS of INDUSTRY
Page 46
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier, Novel Chassis on the Way.
Several particularly interesting types of chassis are now being experimented with by British manufacturers. Perhaps the most unusual of these is a bus with a horizontally opposed sixcylindered engine mounted at the rear of the vehicle, where the entrance is also situated.
A second make has the engine at the rear, but, in this case, the sixcylindered unit is of the vertical type.
Thg third is a three-axled, sixwheeler of a type resembling certain Paris buses, in that the front and rear pairs of wheels are steered, and the driving axle is more or less amidships.
We know the respective makers, but are not giving their names because they may not want to be embarrassed by too early inquiries.
We also learn that a new 64onner designed on the same lines as a recently produced double-decker chassis will shortly make its appearance.
Railway Parcels Services by Road in London.
It is learned that the four railway grohps and the Metropolitan Railway Co. have agreed to collect and deliver non-rail-borne parcels within a radius of five miles from Charing Cross, London, at rates ranging from 3d. for parcels up to 4 lb., up to is. 6d. per cwt. Non-rail-borne parcels will also be collected and delivered by the G.W.R., L.N.E.R., and L.M.S. companies within a radius of 12 miles from Charing Cross, or from one place to another within that area or the fivemile radius, at charges of 5d. up to a 4-lb. parcel and is. Sd. per cwt. Charges of 50 per cent. above these rates are to be made for certain classes of frail and bulky goods.
Oil Engines for Aircraft.
Successful tests have been carried out recently by the Air Ministry with a Rolls-Royce Condor compression-ignition engine which gives a maximum of 500 b.h.p. and weighs, complete with starter and accessories, 1,504 lb. It has already passed the civil-engine-type test of 50 hours, and the flight tests are now being undertaken at Farnborough.
The Air Ministry points out that compression-ignition engines have usually been designea with a substantial increase in strength and weight in anticipation of increased stresses, but in the case of the Condor the problem was approached from the other direction. Steps were taken to ascertain how much extra strength was required to be added to an existing petrol engine, and the conversion has been developed at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, with the co-operation of RollsRoyce, Ltd.
It is the only engine of this type which has completed such a test in this country, with the exception of the Beardmore Tornado, which was installed in the R.101, but this was of a much higher weight-to-power ratio. B20 The speed of the Condor is 1,900 r.p.m., with a maximum of 2,000 r.p.m., and the cylinders are set in two banks of six, at an angle of 60 degrees, and are water cooled. The bore and stroke are 51 ins. and 71 ins, respectively, the compression ratio 124 to 1, and the maximum pressure 800 lb. per sq. in.
The International Show at Berlin.
We are informed by our correspondent in Germany that the Reichsverband der Automobilindustrie E.V. has arranged for an International Motor Show to be held at Berlin from February 11-22, 1933.
Beardmore Oil Engines for Albion Chassis.
One of the most interesting developments in connection with the use of proprietary power units on well-known chassis is the order which has just been placed with William Beardmore and CO., Ltd., by Albion Motors, Ltd., for 12 Beardmore four-cylindered engines to be fitted into certain Albion chassis in which the gearboxes are separate units. These engines are of the 65 h.p. type with a normal speed of 2,000 rpm.
The Benevolent Fund Banquet.
The Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund holds its annual banquet at the Connaught Rooms, London, on November 24. The president, Mr. J. Albert Thomson, J.P., will be in the chair, and will reply to the toast of "The Fund," proposed by Sir Malcolm Campbell. Other speakers will he Mr. Leslie Walton, president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ; Mr. J. V. Pugh, J.P., past-president of the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers and Traders Union; and Mr. A. R. Atkey, Principality Price Reduction.
We understand that, owing to an increased turnover, the manufacturer of the Principality moving floor, the Principality Wagon Co., Ltd., Cardiff, has reduced its prices by about 12i per cent.
A Company to Develop Latex.
A new company, with the title of International Latex Processes, Ltd., has been formed by the Anode Rubber Co., Ltd., and the United States Rubber Co.. for the purpose of consolidating all patents on latex manufacture held by these two companies throughout the world, excepting the U.S.A. The company has been formed so as to make possible the admission of other latex patents, which should facilitate the development of work in this field.
It is understood that the Right Hon. Sir Eric C. Geddes, chairman of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., and of the Anode Rubber Co., will be chairman of the new company, and Mr. F. B. Davis, Junr., chairman and president of the United States Rubber Co., its vice-chairman.
The new company is not to manufacture, but has been formed with the object of simplifying the patent question, co-ordinating research and extending the use of latex. It is ready to grant licences, under its patents, to manufacturers.
Traffic Signals Without Amber Lights.
Commencing this week, the use of the amber light in the traffic signals along Oxford Street, and at the junction of Sloane Street and Pont Street, London, has been discontinued for an experimental period. For the short interval hitherto covered by the amber light the signals show a red light in all directions, giving time for vehicles actually crossing to clear the junction. Careful test of the new arrangement has been made by our staff. On the whole, it seems preferable, for the indecision of many drivers as to whether they should pass an amber light is eliminated. They are still left in doubt as to whether left turns are permitted against a red light.
New Tyre Regulations in Germany.
New regulations with regard to tyres, which will have an important bearing on the industrial-vehicle industry, have just been issued in Germany. Under these regulations, the employment of solid tyres on vehicles of which the unladen weight exceeds one ton will be to all intents and purposes suppressed by a gradual process of elimination.
In order not to upset commercialvehicle users, the new law will not become operative until January 1, 1940, in the case of vehicles already registered before January 1, 1933, but in so far as new vehicles are concerned, it comes into force next year.
The regulations appear to have been the subject of much discussion between the supporters of the solid tyre for heavy-duty vehicles and the roadmaintenance authorities, the solid-tyre faction advancing all the old arguments about suction destroying road surfaces, etc. Finally, a compromise has been arrived at, and the semi-selid, or cushion tyre, is to receive a certain amount of preferential treatment.