Argentine Government Buys Fleet of
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British Six-wheelers
To the list of British and foreign Governments which have purchased military vehicles incorporating the company's well-known rigid six-wheeled cross-country chassis John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Basingstoke, is now able to add the name of the Argentine Government, to which a fleet of 12 of these vehicles, with special bodywork and equipment, was recently shipped.
We learn , that this contract was placed with the Thornycroft concern after exhaustive tests had been carried Out before a Military Commission specially appointed to investigate 40 different types of three-axle vehicle made by British and European manufacturers.
The chassis construction follows closely the maker's standard specification for medium-load vehicles having a mean wheelbase of 12 ft. 6 ins., a normal .steering position behind the
:1340 engine, .a six-cylindered overhead-valve petrol unit developing up to 75 b.h.p., and twin driving axles equipped with 9.00-in. by 22-in. Trakgrip tyres. The patented system of rear-axle suspension gives even distribution of weight on all four wheels of the bogie, irrespective of the relative movements of the axles. Furthermore, the suspension is designed to permit 11 ins, difference in drivingaxle levels and to allow either axle to tilt to an angle of 15 degrees.
To enable these vehicles to cross a stream 0.8 metre deep, the dynamo position has been. raised, whilst the fan drive is also somewhat higher than usual. The rear mudguards are in the form of scotches, and can be detached and used to chock the road wheels when the vehicle is stationary and the winch gear is in operation.
A special Thornycroft power take-oft transmits the full power of the engine to the winch With its laying-on gear,
which controls the wire cable on the drum ; 130 metres of cable can be accomniodated on the drum, and a pull of 5 tans can be exerted. Roller fairleads at the back allow the cable to be used immediately to the rear or at any angle to the side. They also permit the cable being carried back through additional fairleads attached to a side member of the frame so as to pull from the direction immediately ahead of the vehicle. Should the lorry itself become bogged, the cable can be 'attached to any convenient fixture and the vehicle pulled out when the winch gear is put into operation. ' The bodywork has been designed to meet the special requirements of the Argentine Government, with transverse seats back and front for eight men. Reinforced binged sides can be lowered to a horizontal position and provide a gun platform, the centre of the body floor being specially strengthened for this purpose. At the rear of the body suitable brackets and clips enable entrenching tools to be carried, while under the forward compartment large lockers with padlocks are provided for carrying special tools and spare parts. The hood cover can be removed, the hoop irons stowed in the front of the body and the vehicle prepared for action in three minutes by a crew of four men.
A -five-lamp lighting set is providkl in _conjunction with a large-capacity battery.'