ANOTHER REMARKABLE PUBLICITY VEHICLE.
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ONEONE of the most striking bodies we have as yet examined is that designed and constructed by the Dartford Engineering Co., Ltd., of High Road, Willesden, London, N.W.10, for the Wilts 'United Dairies, Ltd., as a mobile advertisement, as well as a means of transport, for the Diploma brand, of products and fancy provisions marketed by this dairy company. This is not the first time that we have drawn attention to bodies built by this company. Our readers will remember our description of the polished aluminiumpanelled vans built for the carriage of Lyons' Milkal ; but the new vehicles are, we consider, of even greater publicity value. Quite apart from their finish, which in itself is most artistic, the body
is everywhere constructed in harmonizing curves, whilst the cast plaques of the Diploma baby and the map of England are in relief, and are really works of art.
The main plaques are surrounded by cast-aluminium feathered-edge mouldings, the plaques themselves being finished in blue granite paint, which presents a metallic shimmer, whilst the letters and mouldings are covered with gold leaf. The upper panels of the body are straight, but the lower panels are inswept slightly to the valances. The 'double doors at the rear also curve in at the base ; the roof is slightly domed and also finished in blue granite on a moleskin covering. The appearance is enhanced by the use of Van den Plas
domed wings of polished aluminium, whilst the running boards are covered with aluminium matting and aluminium sheet is employed for the running board valances.
As an example of the work which has been carried out, the aluminium panels at the rear corners have a"7-in. insweep at the base and a 4-in. outsweep at the top, each panel being made from one sheet. Even the base of each letter is shaped to its correct curve, and every letter required a separate mould. The back corner pillars are cut from the solid.
In order that the driver's cab can be employed practically as a travelling office, it was essential to provide adequate weather protection, and a special type of side curtain is utilized. Each curtain consists of non-inflammable celluloid carried in a nickel-plated frame which is hinged to the windscreen pillar and rests on the top of the door. There is a hinged flap in the off-side screen to permit signalling, and when a door is shut a hinged catch on its screen is secured in a fitting fastened to the inside of the cab.
The bonnet of the 30-cwt. Guy ehassis has been replaced by one of polished aluminium carried on plinths of the same material. There is a fourpiece windscreen, both upper portions of which-can be opened. Oval windows are fitted into the cab and the rear doors, and in the back of the cab are two sliding panels or lights.
The body is framed up in ash and well ironed. In building the frame it was left to stand for a month before panelling, so that it could settle thoroughly. The whole body is slatted with ash inside, including the doors, and ample and deep shelving is provided at the front end, one narrow shelf at the top being used for carrying the side curtains when not in use. This shelf is felted, and a sheet of felt is also
placed between the curtains. The spare wheel is carried within the body at the near side, close to the door. When examining the interior we noted with intereet that every letter on the panelling
is held by countersunk metal. Screws, each of which has a washer and nut.
Ingress and egress are facilitated by the provision of a step, and trouble has been taken to make the shape of the step conform with the symmetrical appearance of the rest of the body.
Such a body as this takes considerable time to build, and any users wishing polished-aluminium lei:Kites of this type would do well to place their orders some three months in advance of the delivery date.
During our .visit to the works of the company we noticed that a considerable number of the remarkable Duralumin skips for which the compeny are becoming noted were in the course of manufacture. These skips are being used with the greatest success by such large companies as McCorquodale, Ltd., and J. Lyons and Co., Ltd., as, although rather more expensive in first cost, eventually they outlive many skips of the ordinary type, and effect a great saving in weight, whilst their cost of upkeep—and this is an important item, RS it is well known what rough treatment these containers have to undergo —is reduced to a negligible sum.