THE FIRST FORWARD-DASH TYPE ALBION.
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The Albion Motor Car Co„ Ltd., Introduce a New Chassis, in Two Sizes, in which the Driver is Disposed Alongside the Engine.
THE merits of the forward-dash type chassis have received full recognition from users in many classes of trade, and particularly amongst those whose requirements call for the employment of a heavy vehicle with a small turning circle, or, alternatively, with a very long body, without an unreasonable increase in the wheelbase or the rear overhang as compared with the chassis designed on more orthodox lines. Most of the prominent British manufacturers can now offer one or more models with .ft forward-type dashboard and in -which the engine is located at the side of the driver, the latest company to join their ranks being the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., of.Scotstoun, Glasgow.
The Mark III Albion chassis,which is the appellation given to the new model, is made in two sizes to carry 3ton and 4-ton loads respectively. The chassis are in many respects a development of the Mark II chassis of the same carrying capacities, which have achieved such a large measure, of popularity in various -spheres of service. The essential difference is that whereas the Mark II machines follow what is generally admitted to be the conventional form of layout, the Mark III models are of the overtype pattern.
Reduced to a basis of dimensions the 3-ton and 4-ton Mark III chassis are constructed with wheelbases of 11 ft. lin. and 13 ft. 1 in. respectively, the body lengths approximating those of the existing standards, whereas the Mark -vehicles of a like size are built with wheelbases of 13 ft. 1 in. and 14 ft. 5 in. respectively.
The net result is that the new form of layout permits an increase in length of about 3 ft. for the same wheelbases, or, alternatively, a contraction in the overall length Of the vehicle of approximately the seine amount, without reducing the size of body employed. The use of shorter wheelbase chassis naturally increases the manceuvrability of the vehicles, the turning circles of which are, of course, reduced.
In general design, the new chassis (we will refer to one model which closely resembles the other) follows the usual Albion practice, but in certain respects it obviously differs, notably in the arrangement of the steering gear resultant upon the new position of the driver's cab.
The design of the new Albion forwarddash type chassis has been carried out with the feature of accessibility well to
the fore, and the various engine parts are readily get-at-able. The carburetter, magneto contact breaker, oil filler and radiator drain cock can all be readily exposed for examination and attention, and adjustment of the valves is capable of easy accomplishment. In addition, the cylinder heads can be lifted with greater ease, if anything, than in the case of the standard vehicle. These results are obtained by covering the top of the engine—which projects slightly above the floor-level of the cab—by a sheet-metal scuttle, -which can be quickly and easily removed much in the same way as the standard bonnet is lifted. Furthermore, as our illustration shows, the front mudguards are made integral with the side doors of the cab, so that when the doors are opened the power unit is exposed to view. To protect the floorboards adjacent to the engine from the heat which is generated, sheet-steel plates are fixed to the undersides.
The controls are very simply arranged, and the coupling up of the pedals, the steering column connections and change. speed and hand-brake levers is effected with a minimum of complication. It is, of course, in this matter that the most radical changes in -design are to be found.
Considerable attention has been given to the disposition of the seat for the driver in order to ensure that his view is not impeded and that he is in a suitable position to handle the vehicle with absolute ease. In particular, the steering gear has been modified in order to deal with the added front axle weight. consequent on the new location of the engine. The steering column itself descends to an auxiliary steering box, in. which is a pair of bevelled gears which transmits the motion to a shaft, returning backwards alongside the chassis frame to a steering box (somewhat altered from, the standard design), which operates the usual drop arm and steering connecting rod.
Although the load on the front axle is very considerably increased as compared with the Mark II chassis, we are told that, from tests which have been made, there is not the slightest sugges• tion of additional drag in the steering..
The whole design of the front portion of the vehicle is such that no difficulty is experienced in giving comfortable seating accOmniodation to the driver and his mate in the cab, the roomy proportions of which can be gauged from our picture. The cab, it will be seen, passesses high side doors:, as well as a full width screen, which gives ample protection from the elements.
There is little question that the forWard-dash type vehicle meets certain specific needs, and it is quite safe to say that the new Albion chassis will obtain much support from those users who have to deal with heavy loads, and whose requirements call for, considerable loading space.
In conclusion, we think we might fittingly give a few dimensions of the Mark III 4-ton chassis. Its wheelbase, as we have already said, is 13 ft. 1 in., whilst the overall length of the vehicle
is approximately 21 ft: 3,1.,t init. The overhang from the front axle is 2 ft. -B. in., and from the rear axle 5 ft. 8ir The distance from the centre of the front axle to the dashboard is 91 ins., and the overall width of the vehicle is 7 ft. 11 ins.