Passing Comments
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Leyland's flOm. Tank Factory SITUATED near Leyland, Lancashire, is a remark"'able new factory built and equipped solely for the production of Tanks by Leyland Motors, Ltd., acting as agents of the Ministry of Supply. Covering a site of about 100 acres, with a new approach road and railway siding, it includes a test track formed as a figure eight with an under-and-over crossing at the intersection; a boiler house capable of heating a small town, the water being circulated by pumps driven by Leyland oil engines, and a power house with English Electric 16-cylindered Diesel engines, driving numerous 1,000-kW. alternators. The factory, which is already producing Centurion Mk, VII Tanks on a flow basis, was completed in two years and the fabricating equipment is so designed that all welding can be done in the gravity position.
The hull-assembly section alone comprises five bays each 35 ft. wide and 600 ft. long. The main machine shop can house 1,000 machine tools, of which 90 per cent, are in commission.
Leyland Motors are justified in feeling proud of an achievement which must rank as one of the greatest in the field of production. High credit was paid to them by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Duncan Sandys, during a visit paid to the factory on October 23 by many hundreds of guests, including high-ranking representatives from many friendly countries and the Commonwealth, as well as from British trade and industry. They saw the whole process of manufacture and convincing demonstrations by the first of the Tanks produced.
Nationalized Enthusiasni
AT least two people now take a poor view of 1—% nationalized transport. Staying at a seaside resort in the south, they wished to send away some articles of furniture. Thinking they were still in the
A24 palmy days of Carter Paterson but having window cards" requesting attention to their requil ments, they applied to the local depot of British Ro Services, but were told that it was not interest and they should apply to a depot in another to about 11 miles away. Here a clerk said that t goods could be accepted for transport, but no respc sibility would be taken for them, and it was qu likely that they would be damaged in transit.
However, they accepted the risk and, somewl to their surprise after the early discouragement, t furniture arrived safely at its destination.
Pointers on Oil Fuel
A N American fuel expert, referring to oil fuel I 1-1 engines, has said that the quality deper primarily on its volatility, cleanliness and ignitic If the volatility is raised, there is a likelihood heavier deposits in the engine. On the other hai less-volatile fuels contain heavier hydrocarbc which are apt to leave tarry residues, whilst engii may smoke if the fuel is not sufficiently volat Cleanliness also seems to be related to the sulplcontent which, if high, produces "dirt."
The quality of the ignition is a measure of the ti lag after the fuel is injected and before igniti occurs. This is given in cetane units and the higl the cetane number, the shorter the lag.
With oil engines, the requirement in this direct. depends accordingly on the • design and operat conditions. It is critical at high altitudes with 1 atmospheric temperatures and light engine loads, I there is no design characteristic known at pres which would give more efficient engines if fuel abi 50 cetane was available and used. On the ot hand, some engines sacrifice economy in order burn fuels of very low cetane rating. •
The Ethyl Corp. recently announced an ignit improver for oil fuels of low cetane value.
A Second Colossus?
AT the recent banquet of the Society of Motor 1—k Manufacturers and Traders, Lord Brabazon, who was proposing the toast to the president and chairman, Mr. W. R. Black, was in great form. As to himself, he said be had been reared on petrol and weaned on nuts. He regretted that the Minister of Transport had not said more concerning our thoroughfares, as he would like to see him go down in history as the second Colossus of Rhodes. As to the Motor Show, this reminded him of a creche because of the number of '" babies" who were quarrelling. He had heard that Mr. Black and Mr. Spurrier had got together to make a baby bus, so small that no one could get into it!
Head Lamps that Corner
I S there something to be said for swivelling head lamps? In Britain, they are frowned upon, but in a mountainous country such as Switzerland where on some of the passes there may be a wall of rock at one side and a deep drop at the other, lights which corner" before the vehicle arrives at a turn are said to give a feeling of greater security to drivers. Usually it is only the lamp at the side to which the turning is being made that swivels.
A Good Safety Game
'J THE careless behaviour of many children might 'HE one feel that all the road safety teaching in schools falls on deaf ears, but a report from a correspondent shows that some, at least, profit by it. In a busy Sussexmain road he saw four small children marching home from school, led by a boy of about 10. When they wanted to cross he called " Halt! Left turn," and they stood along the kerb imitating him as he looked right and left. When he was satisfied that all was safe he called "Over!" and they crossed in an orderly line, then marched off behind him down a side road.
" Follow-my-leader " is a game most children love and any trustworthy boy (or girl) could help by turning this fancy to account.