New Osborne Milk-float
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ANEW milk-float is being produced bs R. W. Osborne and Son, Ltd., Saffron Walden, Essex. It is based on the latest B.M.C. 10/12-cwt. van, and is designed to carry a 13-cwt. payload, with 18 standard crates in each layer. The unladen weight is 21f cwt.
As Deceived from the factory, the standard van is complete except for the rear doors. The side exterior panels arc removed and a steel sub-frame is fitted into each side, bolted and riveted to the vehicle sub-frame. The centre of the body is supported above the standard floor by two 16-gauge channel sections, and the standard model has 1in. thick tonguedand-grooved timber flooring, with halt round steel rubbing strips. Alternatively, there is a de luxe model which h:ts one-piece alloy floor. In each case the loading height is 2 ft. 9 in.
The space between the original and added floors is utilized to house the spare wheel and tools, with a trap at the rear of the vehicle. As an alternative layout the spare wheel can be mounted farther forward and the space at the rear used to accommodate a drawer for the storage of eggs, butter and so forth.
The new vehicle is known as the Dairymatic Minor and is an addition to the existing Osborne range, which includes the Dairymatic, based on the Morris J.2 or Austin 152 16/18 cwt. van, and the Dairymatic Major, which is based on the Austin and Morris LD4 and LD5 vehicles.
The standard Dairymatic sells for £539 complete, and the de luxe version is priced at £562. The standard vehicle can be obtained complete with rear doors (which da not reduce the crate-carrying capacity), and in this case the price is £347.