BIRD'S EYE VIEW
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BY THE HAWK
IN Two weeks ago I reported that a cheque for over £150,000 had been handed over to the RNLI. I come back to the RNLI this week to tell you about the tractor used to haul life boats to the shore in those areas which don't allow for a ramp launch.
Unlike previous lifeboat trac tors which have been adapted from commercial bulldozers, this machine was specifically designed by the RNLI and MA Bigland Preparations (of Knighton, Powys) for the arduous task of launching carriage lifeboats.
Five years since the first prototype was placed on eva luation trials at Hoylake, the tractor is capable of a speed of 15kmh — a 50% increase on the old machines. It is driven by a diesel hydraulic system using a 150kW Caterpillar 3208 NA unit. It has a totally enclosed cab and is capable of operating in water over one metre deep.
Because the tractor has been specially designed it has been possible to build in a very efficient air cooling system for use on the beach; when the tractor enters the water a pair of protected keel coders take over automatically. The driving seat can face either way and directional control is by a simple joystick.
This type can be seen at Rhyl, Skegness, Hoylake, Dungeness, Hastings, North Sunderland, Sheringharn, Wells, Bridlington, Ilfracombe, Llandudno (next month) and PwIlheli (November). • The Mitcham, South London branch of Central Motors Auctions, headed by Alan Agate, was asked by the Streatham CID to conduct a special charity auction at The Studio, Streatham Hill last Tuesday.
Streatham CID organised the auction on behalf of Detective Constable Bruce Adcock who died recently of cancer at the age of 37. Its purpose was to start a trust fund for the education and upbringing of Bruce's 7-year-old son, Steven.
Among the gifts on sale, offered by various celebrities, were a cricket bat signed by the victorious Pakistani team, one signed by the England team, a football signed by the 1966 England World Cup winners, two return tickets to the USA and 12 bottles of vintage wine from Claridges.
As we are just going to press, I regret not being able to tell you what sums were raised.
There's no smoke without fire . . . or isn't there? Shropshire bus operator Mick Boulton of Boultons in L.ongville near Church Stretton, has banned smoking on his vehicles following damage to brand new coaches.
Non-smoker Boulton says he has tolerated choking on other people's smoke while driving. Now he has been forced to take action when he found damage to two E-registration vehicles. Cigarettes had been stubbed out on the floor coverings and on the backs of seats.
Boulton says he cannot tolerate such damage, hence the ban which also applies to drivers.
So, should he catch you smoking on one of his coaches, you might like to rethink the 'no smoke without fire' bit. 11 Fiat, Italy's prolific manufacturer of cars and light vans (and owner of commercial vehicle builder Iveco) has been emphasising its links with the thoroughbred end of transport by sponsoring a polo competition.
The Hawk was present at the final the other day, at the Guards Club ground in Windsor Great Park, where in the interval Fiat Auto UK managing director Peter Quaglia helped the Duchess of York (no snakes, please) hand over a cheque for £20,000 to help keep the disabled persons' sail training ship "Lord Nelson" in operation.
The Hawk found the polo quite interesting — but was a little worried about the reliability of a means of transport whose durability between major rest periods is only 7.5 minutes. I think I'll stick to trucks. . • Every year councils thoughout Britain take stock of damage, vandalism and graffiti inflicted on their premises and vehicles. Also every year is an officially, indeed, Royally approved, ceremony which involves another form of graffiti. I am of course talking about the annual Cartmarking Ceremony at the Guildhall in the City of London.
A Johnston 600 Series Road Suction Sweeper was among the new registrations to be honoured. It now bears the cartrnark 625.
Under the Act of Common Council of 1838 honoured the Keeper of Guildhall is empowered to licence and mark "Cars and Carts for the purpose of standing and plying for hire within the streets of the City provided the owner is a freeman of the City and a member of the Fellowship of Cartmen".
Warwick Srnales, director of Highway Sweepers is, you will be delighted to hear, a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Cartmen.