Latest Long-range Tea Car for Desert Service
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Results of Experience 12 the Use of Canteen Vehicles Under a Wide Range of Conditions Find Expression in the Layout of New .Outfits Built for the Y.M.C.A.
SINCE the Y.M.C.A. put its first teacar outfit into service in September, 1939, such vehicles have done remIrkably good service, both at home and on many battle fronts, in setting out to meet some of the primary needs of Service personnel. If welfare services of this kirtd are to-fulfil their purpose and to be of real value to the troops, they must," of Course, employ equipment in which up-to-date improvements' are embodied.
An example of the latest vehicle of this type is illustrated on this page, this being the first of a number of similar outfits built for the Y.M.C.A. for use in North Africa. It is the outcome of first-hand experience in operating such vehicles under all sorts of Service conditions and incorporates ideas based on the knowledge thus acquired On a standard Army O.Y.-type Bedford 3-ton chassis is a body of the maximum practicable capacity. It is of double-skin construction so as to give a measure of insulation against high temperatures. Ventilators further assist cooling by being specially sited to carry ofi heat rising directly from water-boiling stoves.
To enable the vehicle to work over wide areas from its base accommodation has been arranged for housing a good volume of fresh water: a total of 151 gallons can be carried, which is sufficient for 3,000 cups of tea.
Of this total water capacity 120 gallons are distributed in four 30-gallon tanks, two being incorporated in each side of the body. As one of our pictures shows, two narrow vertical openings give access to the taps and filler caps of the water tanks. The positioning of the tanks makes for good distribution of weight, which is important when operating conditions call for the negotiation of _uneven country. Within five minutes any one of these tanks can be demounted for repair, should it become necessary.
On active service, it is essential that a tea car should be able quickly to serve as many men as possible, because so often the troops have only a few minutes in which to snatch the drink they need so much. To facilitate speedy distribution, therefore, two service counters are provided, one at the side and the other at the rear.
A battery of five five-gallon Thermostype urns ensures a fast flow of piping-hot tea ; a six-gallon boiler looks after the provision of additional hot
water. To supplement this, in case of extra heavy demand, an additional six-gallon water boiler stands by .in reserve for use on a two-burner oil stove. The stove also fulfils the cooking needs of the crew, thus enabling the personnel to operate as a completely, self-contained unit when they are engaged on long trips, of two or three days: duration, away from their base. For the two stoves, a supply of interchangeable spare parts is carried.
The rest of the body interior shows that careful thought has been given to the disposition of shelves and cupboards. Literally, every cubic inch is utilized for the accommodation of canteen stores, which include buns, sweets, cigarettes, razor blades, tooth paste, bootlaces, and a range of other useful articles likely to be needed by the fighting men.
A neatly arranged sink provides facilities for washing up. The Lutontype head of the body forms a locker for the stowage of the bedding and personal camp equipment of the crew.