Keen Demand for 30 m.p.h.
Page 41
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Pantechnicons
PANTECHNICON bodies of 1,550cu.-ft. capacity, based on Austin 3-ton oil-engined chassis, are being built by Marlow Coachbuilding and Engineering Works, New Town Road, Marlow, Bucks. The vehicles, which weigh 2 tons 18 cwt., are supplied to several furniture manufacturers in the nearby High Wycombe area by H. A. Saunders, Ltd.
Mr. S. Whiting, proprietor of Marlow Coachbuilding, told a representative of The Commercial Motor that within six weeks he had received orders for 21 of these bodies, the chief features of which are simplicity and strength, as well as lightness: The frame is of ash, a small number of: members of stout section being preferred to a closely pitched series of narrow' longitudinals and verticals. -Joints are simple but are accurately machined for a tight fit, although the effect of humidity is allowed for.
Rigidity is conferred by four main longitudinals in single pieces of timber. These are the cant-rails and members running the full length of the main body and extending to form the base of the Luton head. Joints are not gusseted, as sufficient bracing is afforded by the exterior Plymax panelling.
This panelling is placed vertically. Horizontal disposition is not favoured, as jointing between panels may break and admit water into the body in the event of panel damage. Vertical jointing is said to provide a channel for water to escape should a serious impact be suffered.
The tapered cab is built integrally with the body and has plywood interior and light-alloy exterior skinning. Wings are of light alloy. A special detachable grille is fitted to allow the engine to be removed. The bulkhead and floor of the Luton extension are of plywood.
Steam-bent timbers were previously used for the rear wheel-arch members, but as these were somewhat weakened and became liable to splitting when the necessary slots were cut in them, a new form of construction is being tried. The curve is made up of three shaped pieces with two substantial fillets across the upper sides of the joins.
Dimensions of the body are as follow: Length from bulkhead to rear, 19 ft. 6 in.; interior height, 9 ft. 9 in.;
overall width. 7 ft. 6 in. The Luton head is not tapered and is 5 ft. long and 5 ft. high.
At the rear is a 3-ft. tailboard. Curtains are provided, but doors can be fitted without exceeding the 3-ton limit. The roof is of canvas-covered plywood.
Mr. Whiting founded Marlow Coachworks in 1946 after long experience in the 'aircraft industry. Many platform, drop-sided and boxvan bodies have been built, also special-type vehicles
including mobile shops. Much vehicle, repair work was contracted until recently, but this has been given up in favour of an expansion in bodybuilding. The well-equipped works now cover 8,000 sq. ft. and 22 men are employed.
So far, traditional materials have been used, but the firm are now developing all-aluminium construction. Their first bodies of this type were made for Southern Forge, Ltd., Langley, Bucks, for the delivery of 7-ton loads of lightalloy ,extrusions. R. S. Mead, Ltd., Market Street, Maidenhead, Berks, supplied the vehicles—Commer oilers— to the customers.
Southern Forge made available the extruded material for the bodies. Deep channels are laid on the chassis members, lengths of timber being placed between them, and nine channel cross-members are attached by means of L-section uprights of suitable length. Cadmium-plated high-tensile bolts are used, with Philidas shakeproof nuts.
Special clips produced by Southern Forge are employed for attaching the full-length body planking to the crossmembers. These were described in The Commercial Motor on June 10. The underneath of the body is painted with black preservative.
The body sides drop in two sections 1 ft. 6 in. deep and afe flush on the outside to present a clean appearance. The sides are not painted, carrying only the signwriting. All fittings are Perkson light-alloy products. Body weight is only 9t. cwt. and vehicle unladen weight 31 tons. Platform length is 18 ft.