Ambulance Design for Present-day Special Needs
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POSSESSING considerable topical 1 interest is the new Rootes-Express ambulance, of which an example has been supplied to the Borough of Southall by the commercial-vehicle department of Rootes, Ltd. Bearing in mind the operating conditions which might possibly have to be ficed,, it will be observed from accompanying pictures that the vehicle has considerably greater ground clearance than is normal with urban ambulances,an advantage •which is obvious -should damaged Streets have to be traversed. The chassis is .a Comnier.SUperpoise 30-cwt. model,' and it is ^Of -interest to note that, despite the high standard of comfort required for this class of work, it was necessary to fit only lowpressure tyres and piston-type shock absorbers. The excellent weight distribution of the Superpoise design undoubtedly has a considerable bearing
on this factor. The six-cylindered engine and the silent-third gearbox are, of course, standard features, which reduce the noise heard inside the body to the minimum, whilst the smooth action of the hydraulically operated brakes has also been commented upon favourably.
The particular body illustrated is equipped to carry a single stretcher case and five sitting patients, in addition to the attendant, although the same design can easily accommodate two stretcher cases with the same num ber of sitting patients. Efforts have been made to provide the maximum comfort, including the use of a specially sprung mounting for the stretcher, a Clayton Dewandre heater and fan, and an Airvac ventilator in the roof. Other items of equipment to snit individual requirements can, of course, readily be incorporated. The lines of the vehicle are striking and the example for Southall is tastefully finished in grey.
The construction of this vehicle was based upon the closest co-operation between the supplier, Rootes, Ltd., Lord's Court, St. John's Wood Road, London, N.W.8, the coachbuilder, Express Motor and Body Works, Ltd., 150, Goswell Road, London, E.C.1, and the borough engineer of Southall, Mr. J. B. Thompson.