The January Subsidy Trials.
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Another Week of Exceptionally Heavy Going, over Hilly Roads in Kent and Sussex. A Group of Incidents marks this Penultimate Period of the Trials. A Word for the Organization.
By the time this issue is in the hands of our readers, the January Subsidy Trials will have come to an end. In spite of exceptional pressure upon our Editorial department and upon our regular staff of correspondents at the present time, we have not failed to record week by week the details of the running in these Trials. We ourselves, during several visits to the bePtieS of operations, have been the recipients of mach gratifying appreciation on the part of many who are taking particular interest in these Government tests. Our articles will serve as a permanent analytical record of the running of not only the three principal entrants—the Thornycroft, the Hallford and the Commer Car—but also of the free-lance machines, the Dennis, the Maudslay and the additional Thernycroft fitted with the G.C. vaporizer.
The report in our last issue concluded with an account of the running up to Monday night of last week, and we then told of the excellent performance which the Thornycroft was putting up. We stated that this machine is likely to be the only one of the three which will secure the subsidy during the present trials. not only on account of its consistent rnnning it must he borne in mind that the other two machines have put up good performances under exceptionally-trying conditions—but also on account of the fact that it is the only one of the three which conforms to the W.O. subvention weight limits.
A Hallford Mishap
All Monday night of last week, those in charge of the Hallford machine appeared to have spent in fitting a big-end brass in situ. Upon inquiry, we learned that there was no running out or slackness, but that the trouble was due rather to a fracture of the die east aluminium half of a connectingrod bearing hush. We were informed that the engine was running at. 3 a.m. on the Tuesday. Tuesday, the 28th ult., afforded another day of real hard
hill-climbing. The weather was dull, but it was fortunately 9ne. Nevertheless, the roads were heavy, and they got heavier, as our readers will see, as the week went nn. That Tuesday's route lay from Woolwich via Shooter's Hill and Dartford to Rochester. The machines started off practically together. and Sandy Hill, out of Woolwich, proved a good morning appetizer. This was taken in satisfactory style by all the machines, the Maudslay showing an exceptional turn of speed while suimouriting it. Of course, it Mast he remembered that direct comparisons must not be made between these free-lance machines and the subsidy vehicles, as they do not conform to the War Office weight and other requirements. Nevertheless, the Maudslay and the Dennis have afforded useful data to the W.O. inspectors.
The Borstal System of Hill-climbing.
The Thornyeroft C.O. machine, one of Pickford's also had a night at big-end fitting, and was "in fettle" again in the morning. She made good time in spite of heavy roads. After Rochester, turning on to the main Maidstone road, the Maudslay, the Dennis and the Thornycroft led the others in the order given, and Borsfal levelled them all up again. Some little difficulty was experienced in using the higher gears on this rise, as had been noticed when it was tackled last week. It is a very deceptive gradient.
The G,C. Wagon Jibs.
After the long rua down Bluebell Hill, the road lay direct to the right on to Sandling. and the test hill at Bexley was "CaPt• quickly reached. The Maudslay ran up the hill, followed closely by the Dennis "all not." Both the cars got over well, as did the Thornycroft and Hallford, but the G.C. Thornycroft jibbed badly, and finally had to be assisted by members of the committee and other officials. The Commer Car was behind, but going steadily, and got over the hill in fine style. The run through Bredhurst and Rainham was ithout incident, and after lunch at Gravesend the wagons were :Anon back at Woolwich.
Useful Tests on the "U" Route.
That route officially known as "13" has proved to be a teazer, and we can from our own personal experience write of it in excellent terms as a testing ground for these machines. On Wednesday last we happened to be on the route all day, and we can testify to the entirely execrable conditions of roads and weather. Some of the photographs which we are happy to reproduce herewith are informative from this point of view.
A Clammy Blanket of Fog.
On Wednesday the 20th, the wagons started out for Edenbridge and the Ashdown Forest district. The dense log was of an exceptionally-chilling nature, and the damp clung like a wet blanket to everything and everybody. It was hardly the sort of morning observers and drivers would have chosen for a 90-mile run. Nevertheless, tiials are trials, and the conditions obviously helped much towards the thoroughness of the tests. A start was made at 7.30 a.m., the Thornycroft leading followed by the Hanford, the Dennis and the Maudslay. The last. two soon got away, but at Orpington the Maudslay had to stop to put right a defect in her steering gear.
The Paraffin..engined Lorry Holds Her Own.
Gond progress was made to Westerhani, and the long climb Ii) Crnckham was the first bit of real collar work. Here the Thorneroft overtook the Hanford, and was promptly away after the other free-lance machines. The Hanford, although going gamely, was evidently, from our own observation, suffering from a well-developed engine knock. It apt-ears that the driver was labouring under considerable disability in having to retard his ignition to suit the conditions. A game struggle was made with this wagon, and we watched it climb steadily over the test hill. A halt was made at Edenbridge, and the cars were here marshalled fur the run through Hartfield for the long climb to Duddeswell, where the wagons were all timed.
The Dennis and Thornvcroft made excellent showing on this hill. and the Hanford ran bonnet to tailboard with ths G.C. Thoreycroft. and well within the blue haze of her exhaust. They both got well over the hill, and then the rim across the Forest was made to Forest Row.
Newbridge Hill Proves a Good Test.
Within *,hort periods, the attack on the fine test hill at Newbridge was made in a thick fog, with the roads in a very heavy condition. Repairs had recently been made, and on the steepest part newly-laid metal made the going extremely heavy. The Dennis made a fine run up. with the eugine going round at very high speed, and was followed closely by the Thornycroft, the G.C. machine and the Hallford„ and once again the paraffin-engined wagon failed, and the'Hallford was held up on the hill while those following the trial helped to push it out of the way and so give a clear road. Knocking badly, but nevertheless starting well over the rough surface, the Hanford got over Newbridge Hill, and the Commer Car, a considerable way in the rear, followed steadily. Before entering Edenhridge on the return journey, the Mitudslay was encountered making her way out, but we understood that her steering was still giving trouble, and she returned from Hartheld. After lunch, Crockham and Westerham bills were tackled by all the machines in fine style. The Thornycroft C.C. machine struggled gamely home with a seized clutch, the driver doing the last 26 miles of gear. changingvery cleverly without the aid of the clutch pedal. That night, the A.S.C. Mechanical Transport sheds afforded a busy spectacle, as the Hanford, the Mendslay and the G.C. machines were undergoing treatment almost in the sma' hours.
The Maudslay Sets the Pace— On Thursday, the 30th ult., route N' was again tackled, and the climbs included Crockham Hill, Toy's Hill„ Ida Hill and Star Hill. The Hanford and Meadslay. both of which appeared to have recovered from' their recent indispositions, came up to scratch at 8 a.m. The whole of the cavalcade was weighted at the Arsenal before the start. The familiar route to Westerham was taken, and at Orpington the Mate-Islay. going great guns, made rapid strides to the front.
But is Unfortunately Ditched.
The Dennis and the Commer Car iivth passed the Hanford above Reston Mark, where the latter stopped for five minutes to readjust a fan belt. Good. time was made by all the wagons as far as Westerham, and here the Mantislay, stopping for breakfast, was passed by evoryone. Later events during the day proved this to he unfortunate, as, on the other side of Crockham, in passing a wagon. she ditched herself in the soft ground at the roadside. Being badly in, a removal of load was necessary, hut, with the aid of the occasionally-necessary horse, she was eventually extricated, and finished the course strong and well.
Tracking the Thorny.
Toy's Hill, the test hill, was again in none too good a condition, but all the wagons brea,sted it in good style, being unhampered this time by The G.C. paraffin-engined Thornycroft, which had returned to town from Woolwich. The
Thornycroft, still running splendidly, led the field all day, and was extremely useful as a guide through the thick fog; the other vehicles only needed to follow its tracks. Good running was made over the switchback road via Ide Hill to Sevenoaks, and lunch was taken at the Royal Oak in that town. Subsequently, Tubb's Hall and Riverhead were tackled, and the pace was pretty fast up to Star's Hill, whieh was timed. The fog here cleared a bit, and times improved.
Magneto.replacement Tests.
Subsequently, linockholt and Orpington were passed, and the route, mostly downhill and level, was resumed to Woolwich. The depot was reached about 3.45. The Thornycroft led all the day, but all the wagons undoubtedly gave an excellent performance. Upon arrival, magneto changing and testing were indulged in, and the gear ratios were checked.
Kent to Surrey.
On Friday, the 31st ult., the wagons were due to return to Aldershot, and, as a matter of fact, a fine run was made across country from depot to depot. The weather was bright and pleasant, although a bit cold, when the wagons left the A.S.C. sheds at Woolwich at 7.30 a.m. The Hallford led, followed by the Thornycroft, the Cummer Car, the Dennis and the. Maudslay, in the order named.
Climbing Crockham.
After the climb out of the town, good pace was made for Westerham. The leader, now running in splendid style, showed the way to Crockham, where the Dennis, by virtue of her lower weight, passed her. The route lay over Crockham Hill, and, by a sharp turn at the foot of the hill, to The Chart. This brought the wagons to a very sharp ascent on the road to Liatpsfield, which, with a good surface, was well taken. The Commer Car missed the road, and by taking the main road from Westerham to Limpsfield, saved a few miles, and, incidentally, avoided two bad hills. From Limpsfield, over a beautiful road to Godstone, the sanie order of progress was maintained, but, just after the last-mentioned village, the Mandslay passed the leaders in great style.
The Worst Hill Encountered.
The Thornycroft and the Hallford ran in company to Redhill. Here the Thornycroft and the Dennis machines were halted for refreshment, whilst the others made track front Reigate to Bletchworth, and the awe-inspiring Pebbleeombe
This is undoubtedly the worst gradient that has been encountered on the trials, and it constitutes a fine test,. The road is of good surface, with a hard foundation, but on Friday last it was a little heavy. The Maudsiay, with a big engine and little weight, made small bones d its conquest, but all the other wagons, with the exception of the Thornycroft, had one or two stops on the way up. The Thornyeroft'a well. graded low gear again told its tale, and she made a beautiful ascent. Once on the top, the road lay through Headley for the Leatherhead Downs to Dorking, and lunch there.
Leaving again, the ears proceeded via Marrow Down to Guildford, but the Maudslay went by the shortest route to Aldershot for examination, having finished her part of the trials. The Hallford, with its fast third, climbed the long gradient over Aferrow in good style. The Dennis, now in her own country, was showing a clean pair of heels. The beautiful spin along the top of Hog's Back was a great relief to all concerned after Kentish nightmares of hills and weather. An Easy Saturday.
On Saturday last the Maudslay was reassembled in the depot, and left for Coventry. The Dennis went on its own account for a 75-mile run, including Henley and South Hartjug Hills, and the three subsidy machines had a light day to Whitchurch and back through Basingstoke. The run was well taken, and the only serious ascent was Hungry Hill, near Farnham, and this was tackled on second speed. Heavy rain fell during the return journey, but the roads were not nearly so bad as upon the occasion of the previous run to Whit church. The wagons all saved considerably upon their scheduled time. The Hallford again ran splendidly, passed the Thornycroft three or four miles out of Aldershot, and was not again headed during the day's run. .The Thornycroft finished about three minutes behind her, and the Commer Car was in the rear to the extent of about 1.0 minutes, so that all the wagons can be considered to have again put up a good day's performance.
Nearing the End of the Trials.
Monday's run WEIS over the old route from Haslemere and Miclhurst to Fetersfield, Hindhead and Aldershot. A start a-as made at 8 o'clock, and the Hanford took the lead, followed by the Thornycroft, Dennis and Commer Car in the order given. There was no incident of note until Christmas Pie Dill was reached. Here a leaky water joint was discovered on the Hanford. After the climb she was found to have heated considerably. The Thornycroft next developed clutch trouble, and adjustments were necessary. The Hanford tilled up with water at Haslemere, and repaired the faulty joint. The Dennis then took the lead, and was followed by the Thornycroft.
The next. objective was South Harting and the test hi/l. The road surface was soft, and the machines coughed and knocked on the stiffest gradients. No failures were recorded. however. From Harting the road—which was atrocious— lay over Compton Down to the main London and Portsmouth road. Heavy water splashes were encountered, and where potholes were included, the machines sank into the water to their hub caps. Two small but steep hills were tackled successfully before the main road was reached, and then a ran to Petersfield was made without. further incident. Lunch MIF taken, and, on restarting, the Hallford developed magneto trouble, which delayed her 29 minutes. The long climb to Hincihead with a following wind was not calculated to help the cooling system of arty of the machines. Running well, however, the Hallford caught and passed the Commer Car at Milford. The Thornycroft and the Dennis were by this time well ahead, and maintained their lead until Aldershot was reached. Between Hinclhead and Wanborough, Captain Davidson took occasion to carry out brake, acceleration and retardation tests, the Wimperis accelerometer being used. In spite of the unfavourable weather conditions, all the machines registered good actual running time. The final run was undertaken last Tuesday, the route being to Singleton and backs distance of some 65 miles.
We must conclude our brief history of these Trials with a few words of commendation in regard to the organization and to the fulfilment. They were planned with exceptional care and discrimination. The routes were carefully chosen, and one might. almost suppose that some special arrangements had been made with the clerk of the weather to provide atmospheric conditions of as trying a nature as possible.
The outstanding feature has been the fairness with which the Trials have been conducted. No moray has been shown to the occasionally-weak or decrepit ; the rules have been strictly observed, and we know as a fact that the military observers have had no scruples whatever in regard to the carrying out of their duties strictly to the letter. Captain Davidson has been indefatigable, and has been, throughout the month's running, hard at work here, there and every. .where, marshalling, timing and observing. Members of tho M.T.C. have also been on hand for special gruelling.
In conversation with representatives of the entrants, we learn that the A.S.C. officers and men, both at Woolwich and Aldershot, have been untiring in their efforts to assist.
On the whole, so far as the actual organization of these Trials is concerned, we have to record that they have been very thoroughly and systematically conducted, and great credit devolves, therefore, upon Captain Davidson and his associates in connection with them.
Our frequently-reiterated opinion with regard to certain unsuitable features of the present subsidy scheme has naturally undergone no change. The three wagons have behaved well and have been well tested. We could only have wished that they had been more suited to the requirements of the hundreds of general users in the home country_