Bird's Eye View
Page 47
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
REARING in mind the considerable care generally taken "in getting correct sound effects for television and radio items, some of the strange noises alleged to be emitted by motor vehicles reflect a curious lack of a discriminating ear among those responsible.
Some years ago what was supposed to be a heavy American lorry carrying T.N.T. in a radio play sounded curiously like a Morris-Commercial 30-cwt. of a type used extensively by the Post Office. More recently, a Bedford. SB coach which featured in a television film appeared to have an A.E.C. 9..6-litre underfloor engine and epicyclic gearbox, if we were to believe our ears! It seemed that someone looked in the file under the heading " coach " and thought "that'll do ", when the vehicle recorded was an RF type Green Line coach—a very different animal.
Not ,All Vintage Models
pERHAPS someone should remind the B.B.C. television news department that by no means all tractors are vintage Fordson paraffin-engined models. The classic example of the use of this sound track was when a Chrysler Sno-Cat was shown on the screen.
However, the same channel's "Z Cars" show invariably sets a high standard, obviously being recorded on the spot. The characteristic bark of a Gardner-engined Atkinson ' lorry and the clatter of a Thames Trader with a 4D power unit have been faithfully reproduced. The subtle but distinctive exhaust burble of the Mk. II model cot the Ford Zephyr was particularly well "caught" in the early episodes. It can be done—but why not always? Some stock " canned " items obviously have to be used for news programmes, but the choice could be a little more precise, I feel.
New Angle
ADVOCATES who usually appear in the Yorkshire area traffic courts had a surprise when, after a public inquiry that finished early on one occasion last week they subsequentlysaw the Licensing Authority, Major F. S. Eastwood, "sitting in" in the Crown Court of Leeds Assizes In the afternoon session when the Lord Chief Justice was hearing cases in his list. The answer: Major and Mrs. Eastwood were guests of the High Sheriff of Yorkshire, Brig. Kenneth Hargreaves, at lunch and, in company with Lady Parker and Mrs. Hargreaves, accepted an invitation to sit in with the High Sheriff.
The L.A., " sitting in" as a guest, heard at least three of the barristers who normally appear in the Yorkshire traffic area courts in action including his own deputy, Mr. John Randolph..
,Consistently Safe
mG.• W. CHOAT, who drives for the south eastern division of British Road Services, is in the news again Last year he received a trophy for 40 years' safe driving from Mr. Marples at the Guildhall. On that occasion another driver was awarded a similar prize. Last week, however, Mr. Choat received a 41-year gold bar from Mr. T. G. Gibb, chairman of British Road Services. Now, though, Mr. Choat is out on his own in the Safe Driving
Stakes, for the driver who received the other 40-year trophy last year has since retired.
Mr. Choat, who drives newspaper delivery vehicles, was obviously very pleased with his achievement. " ['shall keep on driving while the Almighty is good to me," he told me.
Bright Red
WHEN I drew attention last week to the occasions upon \V HEN
smaller vehicles could be parked on streets without lights, I omitted a most important piece of advice —for which I apologize. The parking of vehicles without lights is subject to local police approval and is not universal. So if in a strange town where the rules are not known; I suggest drivers ask first and park later. Meantime this bird is displaying, in all directions, a large red light—his face!
Film Star
LATEST in the list of commercial vehicles to be stars in 1-isome photographic exercise is a 7-ton Leyland Comet tipper belonging to Amalgamated Asphalte Companies
Ltd., of London. This particular "film star" was the centre-piece of an ambitious piece of publicity by a new photographic studio which wanted to advertise the size and capabilities of its premises. So the Comet appeared in a luscious Grecian setting, surrounded by beautiful Grecian girls.
In these circumstances, perhaps it could be pardoned if it were troubled with a spot of temporary overheating!