On Location F OR many years fairground proprietors have transported their
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own power equipment in the form of petrolor oil-driven generating sets mounted on lorrie3--usually of noble age. Film conmanie, have also used this type of plant to provide lighting on outside locations and even in the studios to supplement the mains supply or in the case of emergency.
Davey, Paxman and Co., Ltd., Colchester, has equipped a number of such vehicles for the film industry. Units supplied through Lang Wheels, Ltd., to Denham and Pinewood Studios, Ltd., and the Associated British Picture Corporation, are based on Foden chassis and incorporate Paxman Ricardo V12 350 b.h.p. oil engines. Lancashire Dynamo and Crypt o 200-kW d.c. generators are connected to the engines through Wellman-Bibby flexible couplings. Fitted with electric starting gear, the equipment in each case is mounted on a steel base.
Soundproofing of the equipment was done by Burgess Products, Ltd., Hinckley. With older unsilenced apparatus, the running noise prevented direct dialogue recording, sound having to be dubbed in the recording theatre. Soundproofed vehicles can be run 100 yds. away from recorders without detrimental effects.
Another Paxman unit was built for Ealing Studios, Ltd., on an Atkinson chassis, and was used.in the production of a number of recent films. On two occasions it was lent to provide lighting for television broadcasts. This vehicle is not soundproofed.