100 Seats in a Semi-trailer
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Sparshatt Metal Body on Crane Semi-trailer for Iraq has Patent Tube-and-block Frame A 100-SEAT body has been mounted by Sparshaits r (Metal Bodies), Ltd., Farlington, Portsmouth, on a Crane semi-trailer to be used by the Iraq Petroleum Co., Ltd., as a personnel carrier. The outstanding features of the body lie in the Sparshatt patented tubeand-block method of frame construction and in its possibilities of easy repair by unskilled labour.
In the Sparshatt system of frame construction, the steel blocks used are bored out to the outside diameter of the particular tube being used and split on one face from end to end. After the tube has been inserted, the block is squeezed up to grip the tube. While thus held. the gap in the block is welded, the penetration being down to the tube. The ends are also lightly welded, the resultant structure being of immense strength and quickly repaired.
Up to cant-rail level the body is panelled in 20-gauge sheet steel, whilst the roof is in 18-gauge light alloy. For convenience in maintenance, the panels are secured by solid rivets, so that a native mechanic with no more equipment than a hammer, backing-up tool and a cold chisel can replace a panel.
Access to the rivets from the inside of the body is gained by detaching the relevant trimming panels, the removal of the rivets then being simple. There are eight half-drop windows on each side, of which one on the left-hand side and two on the right-hand side are hinged to provide emergency exits in addition to the emergency door on the left-hand side. There are also a halfdrop window at the forward end and three fixed windows at the rear.
The emergency door will probably be
used as a normal exit and entrance to speed up unloading and loading. All the window glasses are carried in British Steel frames on Clayton Wright mouldings.
The main entrance is at the rear and beneath both doors there is a pull-out step which automatically recedes when the doors are closed. All the joints in the body are sealed with Dunlop S81 rubber solution and the doors are sealed with rubber mouldings.
Well-sealed doors and windows are essential as protection against sandstorms, although this Sparshatt vehicle may be considered as a luxury personnel c,arrier.
Ventilation is provided for by three roof vents with electric fans and eight Airvac components. The fans revolve at 1,350 r.p.m. and work off a 12-volt supply. Air is induced through louvres at the front and is taken through filters before entering the body.
A supply of fresh water is carried in
a 25-gall.on tank slung beneath the floor on the left-hand side. Replenishment of the tank is facilitated by an extension pipe easily accessible from inside the body. Water is raised by a hand pump with which a tap is combined.
The slatted seats, which have tubular frames, are arranged to accommodate the passengers in rows of three on each side of a central gangway. All seats face forward with the exception of one at the forward end, which faces to the rear. Alloy chequer plate 3/16 in. thick is used for the floor.
This type of floor has a number of advantages when employed in a vehicle to be operated in a hot country.. Apart from freedom from attack by termites and other pests, it can be hosed down freely, a procedure which not only cleanses the vehicle, but serves appreciably to reduce the interior temperature. The tractive unit to be employed will be a Thornycroft Amazon.