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The Ideal Army Load Carrier

8th September 1944
Page 34
Page 34, 8th September 1944 — The Ideal Army Load Carrier
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Views of One of Our Contributors—Mr. J. Pickles—on a Number of Points Raised by an ExSergeant of the R.A.S.C.

I WAS extremely interested to note 1 the remarks of " An Ex-Sergeant, R.A.S.C.," which appeared in your issue dated August 4, in which he deplores the lack of standardized vehicles for Army use, and the lack of co-operation between Army authorities and vehicle makers. Although the basis of his argument is undoubtedly logical, there are factors in the background of which he is evidently unaware. I am surprised that he should name the Americans as being a model for our emulation wAeri their lack of standardization is as marked as our own, and when the Canadians have shown much greater foresight and ingenuity in this matter.

The " Jeep " or " Peep " was first prodoced by one manufacturer and then followed by a second concern which incorporated units of its own make. It was not, untila considerable number had been made that the decision was arrived at for both -to build to a standardized design. The second concern changed over its tools to build vehicles to the design of the _first maker, which necessarily meant a reduced production until the new plant could be installed.

Standard Chassis with Special Bodies Other American vehicles are largely standard peace-time chassis fitted, in some cases, with special bodies,' although even this modification is not always to be found. A large number is of the six-wheeled type and many of four-wheeled design, traction being obtained from the rear wheels.

Canadian makers were much more advanced. They speedily had in production a range of vehicles—built by their two largest manufacturers—most of which were all-wheel driven, a lay out which has proved to be by far the most satisfactory, as even six-wheeled types suffer from lack of traction when the front idling wheels dig in.

• The two major Canadian companies co-operated to a laudable degree, and many of the units are interchangeable between one chassis and another. The body and cab are of the same design • and, apart from the manufacturers' „insignia on the front arc, externally, identical. A proprietary transfer gearbox gives a dual ratio and, at will, connects the drive to the front wheels. This box and the control mechanism are uniform on ay models of both companies, It must be admitted that they were fortunate in having such a gear-, box in existence, and a manufacturer with the means for producing it in large quantities before the commencement of chassis production.

It cannot be denied that many of the vehicles produced early on in the war were by no means ideal, and this was appreciated by the manufacturers themselves, but the circumstances justified the means. We were deplorably short of vehicles of all types and the accent was on the manufacture of vehicles based on units which were already in quantity production and which needed only small modifications. Even on these lines the prodigious efforts of the makers failed to produce the required quantities, and civilian vehicles had to be impressed to help fill the gap, During this period the manufacturers were going forward with new designs to War Office specification, based on known requirements for Army usage and incorporating the improvements found necessary by actual warfare. Several years ago models having a great deal in common with the ideal suggested by yourcontributor were introduced.

The 3-ton general-service vehicle, to quote the example propounded by him, is being produced by several manufacturers, although, admittedly, they are in no way standardized. An effort was made at the beginning to effect a degree of standardization, and a remarkably free interchange of ideas and the passing on of hitherto jealously guarded knowledge was the result but, in the end, each maker went -his separate way to interpret the -War Office speeification, Whether the possibility of a standardized vehicle was explored with the thoroughness and patriotic magnaminity demanded by the circumstances is in some doubt, but, for the manufacturers, it must be pointed out that a greater degree of foresight and initiative On the part of the War Office might have led to different results. In Germany, for instance, standard military vehicles and engines were in production before the war, but, perhaps, our failure to follow suit may be excused by our love of peace.

An important factor, too, was the machine-tool problem and, where possible, even with the specially designed vehicle, existing components and tools had to be employed, so that the gap between laying down the design and initial production could be reduced to the minimum.

The complaint of difficult servicing is. unfortunately, too often justified, and is not of war-time origin. It is to he feared that, in this matter, many of our vehicles are inferior to those of American make, and I suggest that this matter be foremost in the demands of the members of the Institute, of Road Transport Engineers, Specially Designed War-time 3-tonners These specially designed war-time 3-tonners well answer your coptributor's requirements in respect of -ground

clearance and traction. To comply with the War Office requirements such vehicles must be driven over a !' A " shaped ramp without contact with the chassis, and the front and rear overhang similarly limited.

The ground which these vehicles have to negotiate defies description, and one can only refer to photographs which have appeared in this journal showing modern, vehicles ploughing through mud and across ditches.

I cannot agree with the request for a servo brake, as this involves the introduction of unnecessary extra mechanism. Actual road experience has shown that a vehicle of this size can be braked without such aid.

The request for a bench-type seat would appear reasonable but impracticable as, to 'fulfil other requirements, a forward-control layout is necessary and consequently the engine compartment divides the cab into two. "It ' would not prove difficult, however, to pro-Vide a simple folding canvas bank to each cab if the War Office thought the introduction justified.

Similaily, the body material is determined by factors which are not immediately obvious, and the availability of either Wood or steel has been the deciding factor.

Tags

Organisations: War Office
People: J. Pickles

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