Comfort First
Page 52
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iNTENDED for use on the Continent 1 by Wallace Arnold Tours, Ltd.. of Leeds, a new coach, based on a Leyland Tiger P52 chassis, with coachwork by Duple MOtor Bodies, Ltd., T Ii e H y d e, Hendon, London, N.W.9, will form one of the Leyland exhibits at the New York Show.
Original in conception and distinctive in appearance, the coach looks deceptively small despite its overall length of 27 ft. 6 ins. This may be attributed to the elimination of the normal mudwings and their substitution by fulllength, swept panelling into which the Wheel, arches intrude. The untarnishable alloy Mouldings at waist-rail level have a red plastic inset, which not only serves to conceal the fixing screws, but also preserves the cream and red colour motif of the Arnold fleet.
The full-fronted body is of composite construction. A conimendable feature of the deep, twin-panel windscreen is the narrow pillars, the benefit of which is further exploited by the use of curved corner lights of tciughened Triplex glass, Balanced • Young windows are fitted alongside the driver's and courier's seats. • • The conventional bulkhead has been eliminated, and the engine provided with a tight-fitting sound-proof cover. Whilst the dashboard is • in the: front scuttle, the electrical panel,is arranged to the right of the driver over the w.heel,arch. Both horizontal and vertical adjustment is . provided in the Chapman pedestal-type seat. To prevent the windscreen misting up. two wide slots are provided in the screen framing at the bottom thrOugh which .1 B18 hot air from the heating system is passed. in the top corners of the cab section arc two extensible microphones which form part of the Radiomobile amplifier equipment..
• Accommodation for 21 passengers is provided, the easily adjustable Duple luxury seats and squabs having Dunlupin° fittings; upholstery is carried out in plum-coloured Firth's fabric. Up to waist-rail level the interior is lined with similar material in a contrasting bluegrey'r shade. The floor is laid with Sorbo rubber covered with maroon-coloured carpeting.
The flush-fitting central-entrance door runs on swept tracks and, when open, is concealed. The emergency door, on the right-hand side has been specially adapted for use as a normal door when' the coach is used for Continental tours. To this end, a locker beneath the door houses folding steps which are retained by a spring catch. When the door is opened this catch is partially released, the depression of a button in the bottom framing of the doorway serving to release the steps cbmpletely.
The sliding roof is made in two sections, each being partly glazed with Perspex panels. When the sliding sections are in the open position visibility is unimpaired as these panels register with those in the fixed portion of the roof.
Built-in fir ducts carry heated or cool air from the Clayton equipment
Capacity Second
through the body, the discharge points being under the seats. Four Ashanco !Mex• ventilators have interior grilles which match those of the four loudspeakers. All the side windows are of the Quicktho full-drop type, and deep louvres ensure draughtless ventilation.
Australian walnut is used for the interior woodwork, the tubular metal luggage racks, which are of cantilever pattern, being so positioned as not to impede visibility through the coving panels. For interior lighting there are 10 strip lights, with three medallion lights in the roof. Two head, side, fog and marker lights are fitted in the front panel, and C.A.V. direction indicators are recessed in the side panelling.
The main luggage compartment is at the rear, the accommodation being such as amply to meet the needs of a full complement of passengers.