The Latest Field Workshop.
Page 8
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This Model Embodies Design and Equipment which are Based on War Experience.
Of the goad resulting from this war a considerable proportion will certainly accrue to the commercial motor in its many and various forms. This will show itself particularly in the perfection obtained by such examples as, for instance, the portable workshop for use in the field, The effect of the experience now being gained by representatives of the trade, during their nitAtbs of active service, will be othasiderably. to speed up the already-rapid process of improvement which these and other departments of the motor transport world have all along been undergoing.
The lorry under discussion has been designed by the Royal Automobile Club Engineering Department, of which Mr. F. W. fludlass is the Chief Engineer. It shows considerable 'evidence of careful thought. The fullest advantage has been taken of the experience gained in the field. The aim of the designers has been to provide a compact little lorry not only capable of salving a car which has had a bad smash. but also of carrying out any small repairs found to be necessary.
The chas.sis employed is of the well-known .,-me-ton B.C. type manufactured by Commercial Cars Ltd., Luton.
The equipment of tools is very complete and includes a pair of shear legs, which project rearwards to a distance of 4 ft. Upon these can be suspended the front or rear of a car, which, in this position, can be towed an the two remaining wheels. These shears are also useful for lifting engines and gear
boxes out of frames. As can be seen from our illustrations they stand on a large rear platform step, which is also available as a bench for heavy work, being fitted with a suitable vice.
The interior of the vehicle is fitted up with a useful complement of tools, including *inch centre lathe and emery grinder, the former being driven from the clutch shaft by a simple arrangement of belts and countershafts. A bench, racks and suitable cupboards are also included The following list of small tools will illustrate the thoroughness with which the designers have dealt with this matter.
A sufficient supply of blacksmiths' tools is provided for the working of small f orgings or for the bending or straightening of any parts.
A brazing hearth is provided and all the details both for this and for soldering. The heat necessary is derived from a large blowlamp fed by petrol.
Such fitters' tools as are necessary for repairing and re-erecting any part of the motor vehicle are to be found in this admirable little shop, and, in addition, material and equipment for white-metalling bearings and also the scrapers for refitting the same. A small surface plate is provided and a comprehensive selection of measuring and reference tools.
A full list of machinist's small tools is included in the equipment, drills, reamers, expanding mandrils, etc., sufficient to enable the staff to cope with any repair with which they are likely to meet.
The provision of a stock of raw material has not been overlooked, and tool steel, nickel steel, mild steel, and special steel for keys in a variety of sizes, besides bronze
and brass rods of various sections, sheet metal, wire, brake-lining materials and jointing materials, and a large selection of useful sizes of bolts, nuts, washers, split pins, taper pins, etc., are available in case of need.
Each repair van is sent out in charge of a competent man with a suitable helper. If possible, the helper is chosen for his knowledge of some particular craft with which the charge hand is not thoroughly acquainted.
The lighting of the vehicle is by acetylene gas. Several acetylene handlamps provide light for work at night. The headlamps are also so arranged that they can be used as handlamps if required, the generator being contained in the body of the lamp.
Not the least important part of such a workshop is the set of spanners which must be carried. Apparently great care has been taken in the selection of these, of which a large variety is included. Evidently the aim has been to provide, if possible, any particular type from the largest to the smallest which may be required, the possibility of having to unscrew nuts in inaccessible positions has also been considered, and suitable spanners are included to enable the workmen to cope with them.
It is apparent from a perusal of the list of tools supplied and from an examination of the fittings included in this remarkably complete little vehicle that the work which may be attempted will be equal in every respect to that usually expected from the average garage and repair shop.
We learn that the chassis was presented to the British Red Cross Society by Commercial Cars, LW. The Society supplied the body and equipment.