THE MOBILE SEARCHLIGHT.
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Its Value in Modern-day Warfare. An Austin Outfit Described.
THE SEARCHLIGHT, whether it be mobile or fixed, plays an all-important part in modernday warfare. It owes to a great extent its present-day state of perfection to the rapid development and use of aircraft. Its chief purpose, as fully realized by all the belligerents, lies in its penetrative powers_, which enable the whereabouts of enemy airships and aeroplanes, bent on bombing or reconnaissance work, to be located. The unquestionable value of the searchlight is, of course, more pronounced for defensive operations, at least so far as military and aerial matters are concerned, although; of course, for naval operations it possesses an intrinsic value for offensive purposes
Everyone in this country, or more correctly, everyone in the south-eastern and north-eastern counties appreciates to the full the worth of the searchlight in conjunction with anti-aircraft guns for defensive measures. Its effectiveness has formed to a remarkable ,degree a weapon of priceless value in keeping at bay, or at least limiting the offensive operations of enemy machines. It is only natural to suppose that the commercial vehicle, bearing in mind the diversified uses to which it has been put, should be utilized as a mobile searchlight.
Many vehicles of this nature have been made by the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., for use with our armies in the various spheres of operation. We reproduce several illustrations with this article showing a comprehensive searchlight lorry made by this company which is doing yeoman service with our forces in France. The chassis is practically of standard dimensions. A four-cylinder engine is embodied, of 95 mm. by 127 mm. bore and stroke respectively ; the crankshaft is supported on five bearings. Dual ignition fitted, whilst carburation is effected by the ClaudelHobson accessory. Lubrication is on the forced feed system. A-Ferodo-liued clutch is employed, and the gearbox provided gives four speeds forward and one reverse. A dual shaft transmits the driving power from engine to road wheels, which are made in cast steel and shod with 860 mm. by 90 mm. solid twin tyres at the rear. Duplex semi-elliptic springs give suspension at the rear and semi-elliptic at the front.
The lighting plant embodied, which is housed behind the cab of the body, is a 16 h.p. Austin stationary engine with two separate cylinders, 41-gin. by 5 in, bore and stroke respectively. This engine is mounted on a special aluminium bedpIate, which, it is worthy of note, also forms an oil chamber for the engine, and is coupled direct to a compoundwound proteeted-type of dynamo which is capable of an output of 120 amperes at 80 volts at 1000 r.p.m. Cooling is effected by means of a, suitable radiator and fan mounted on the dynamo. The main switchboards for controlling the dynamos which operate the projector 'consist of a polished aluminium panel which is supported on a teak frame, on which is mounted one moving coil ammeter, one moving .coij voltmeter., one voltmeter switch, one double pole knife) switch, and two single pole . fibre handle replacement fuses, which, be it noted,-are utilized for the reason that they are less liable to break than those made 'of porcelain.. Tbe switch gear is insulated from the aluminium panel. The switchboards are complete with local back connections and cable sockets. One shunt regulating switch and resistance is mounted separately. The dynamo serves to illuminate two headlamps of 9 in. face, tail lamp and dashboard lamp. A Lucas self-contained acetylene lamp is fixed to the contra 'of the facia board of the canopy. Four lengths of flexible cable, each of 50 yards length. are included to couple up to four groups of electric lights ; a group
consists of three bulbs of 16 e.p. each, which are fitted with reflectors for the express purpose of illuminating tents a:nd the like.
The searchlight proper is a 30 in. are light projector with hand-feed lamp to utilize 100 to 120 amperes,. It is complete with plain glass' front and silvered glass mirror of special quality, and is carried on substantial arms. The equipment is supported on an aluminium base which is conveniently arranged so RS to permit both horizontal and vertical movement. This projector,. as will be seen from our illustrations, is mounted on an entirely independent chassis which is constructed of ste-el channelling. It is sprung on four steel wheels, 32 in, in diameter being frequently used at. the rear and 24 in. wheels On the front axle. In this manner it will be obvious that the searchlight could be utilized either from the. vehicle or as an independent unit. It is arranged to turn on a pivot; The necessary skids and miscellaneous hoisting tackle to enable the projector chassis to be raised upon, or lowered from, the body of the lorry is supplied.