Our Despatches from the Front (No. 43).
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Lessons on Active Service Which Should Be Made Available to the Manufacturer. Suggested Supplies of Makers' Handbooks for the Front.
These messages from Our Own Special Correspondents have been submitted to and censored by the Press Bureau, which does not object to their publication but takes no responsibility for the correctness of the statements contained therein,—ED.
At a Base, MEM 22nd June.
Shortcomings That Will Out.
This war is proving, from the motor user's point of view, to be the finest reliability trial that we have ever had, and, notwithstanding its severity, the M.T. is doing its work exceedingly well, winning commendations from all concerned. At the same time, it is not in our interests to sit still and he mum, if by speaking and writing we can bring about improvements. The general excellence of many manufacturers is not going to hide the shortcomings of a few -others, and these latter, fortunately in the minority, will ix obliged to make serious alterations, if they want the public to place any faith in their products, especially when our boys come home and the truth leaks out. Even the most satisfaetory chassis are susceptible to some improvement, and it will be interesting to note how this Will be undertaken. 1111111111111111111101.11111M1111 1111111EM The Future "W.D." Model.
The writer's opinion is that,. in view of the experience being gained now, 5. special W.D. model will be evolved, with as many standardized parts as possible, catalogued in peace as a " Colonial Type;" and a lighter chassis for the same tonnage constructed for use in Great Britain or where the roads are reasonably good. Designers have had this in view hi the past, although in rather a half-hearted manner. A comparative.: inspection of different makers' lorries of a given tonnage shows a surprising dissimilarity. A threetonnev.of one make proved an exceedingly light affair whereas another maker's three-ton chassis, although of approximately the same horse-power, was of massive
construction. It is obvious that the designer of the former had only English roadsin his mind's eye, with a driver-mechanic at the wheel, as against the stronger chassis which was evidently designed to stand the hardest road wear likely before thewar, and was, in a modified degree, foolproof.
-Possibly a W.D. model may be evolved on the lines of the Jeffery Quad. On the other hand, if the chain is chosen for the final drive let us see an arrangement that will facilitate the renewal of tires without having to dismantle the wheels, A36 chains and chain cases. Multiple oil leads controlled from a main tank to various inaccessible parts, now lubricated by grease, might be considered, making the bearings, where possible, self-lubricating, and the Rolls-Royce method of forcing oil to the wheel bearings could eliminate the time-honoured
grease-cup. It might be advantageous to note how the rear springs are secured to the axle on L.G.O.C. chassis.
Whatever may have been decided upon with regard to design, no particular exertion on the part of the makers has been noticed this side of the Channel as to their goods, state of arrival, running, breakdown, life, spares, suggested improvements, complaints, etc., and even when the old chassis comes home it is unlikely that there will be time enough for a detailed study and report.
It is suggested therefore that each manufacturer shall seud forth representatives to learn as much as possible about their productions. They would come in contact with the men driving same, they would be there on the spot to take up the matter of complaints (see note later), observe the actual running of the machines and compare general results against those of competitors, and above all, be able to instruct and help the drivers in a hundred little ways.
The Need of Instruction.
It must not be forgotten that most of the A.S.C. men enlisting now are not, and do not profess to be, competent driver-mechanics. They get themselves accepted either by bluff or other means, and are promptly put on machines they candidly admit they know nothing about. Their ignorance of mechanical matters is in many cases extreme. There were 16 lorries on the square at •••• recently, representing 32 men, awaiting orders to proceed up country, and the writer took advantage of the delay to question them. There were only 40 per cent. who knew what to do if a chain broke, 7 per cent. answered correctly how to change down from top to the next gear, and no one could say if when climbing a hill followed by lorries and in changing down the gear was missed, how he would regain the mesh of 'gears without bringing the vehicle to a standstill. And yet there are many accidents occurring under these conditions.
The Will, But Not the Way.
At every Base there are lorries ready to depart at a moment's notice. At advanced Bases they remain days, often weeks. Those in charge after an initial cleaning and greasing haye literally nothing
to-do -save -the starting no of the engine each morning and to polish the brass.
Now the average driver is a decent fellow and willing to learn. Here, then, is the representative's chance. He would stroll round and speak in a friendly manner to the men in charge of the make that interested him, instructing them in whatever he found they did not know. In fact, a daily demonstration might be organized, and it is my opinion the authorities here would encourage it.
Where Are the Makers Handbooks?
In every driver's wallet there should be a strongly-bound instruction book with large diagrams of the chassis showing all greasers and oilers, a plan of the engine lubrication system, driving hints, running repairs, ignition drawings, and the like. It is all very well
for an engine. •to -1-horoughly
lubricated if the needle of indicator registers " 5 lb. per sq. in." or number, "3," or a red line, or a bit of wire projecting up some 5 ins, out of the crankcase, but what use is all this to the driver if he does not understand the indications ? He can only prove that the engine is getting oil by seeing the exhaust pipe smoke, and oil-level cocks or no oil-level cocks he will get it to smoke, and a spectacular affair it is, too, when he des
manage it.
Again, the writer has seen a man battering away at the rear wheels with a heavy hammer. He was trying to get the driving dogs home on the differential shaft. Before it was discovered that an internal groove was preventing the easy entry of the sleeve extension of the driving dogs, considerable damage was done. Had he been able to consult a diagram the internal scoring would have been avoided by a mere touch of the file, and time and labour saved.
How To Issue Them.
Now unless complete instruction handbooks are is-sued broadcast to every driver the alternative is to forward copies to every warrant officer at a fixed station or to the officer in charge of a column, and have it announced at roll-call that certain makers' handbooks might be -consulted by those so desiring at the office or elsewhere.
Discipline.
The complaints that emanate from the A.S.C. men anent their condition and ill-treatment are, mostly, unfounded. Certainly to the newcomer the severe discipline hits rather hard especially where it is overdone, because discipline, like many other things, takes some getting used to.