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AIRLINE BODIES AND THEIR FUTURE Exaggerated Claims Of Speed Benefits
Have streamlined touring bodies a future? Yes! Will they win favour because of the extra speed attainable? No! That is how I would answer the two most com- mon questions put to me.
Nearly twelve months ago, under, the heading "The Benefits of Streamlining." I urged in these pages the claims and special at- tractions of the streamlined body. I illustrated certain possible de- signs, especially one. I plotted in 1933 under the term "Airline," which term I registered. That particular body, built by Thrupp and Maberly, Ltd., to my order, has now covered over 10,000 miles on a 3-litre Bentley chassis, and I am able to speak from practical experience of the car in seven different countries. If I were in- vited to enumerate in order of marit the chief attractions of the Auline type of body, I would place. luggage accommodation first, modern and natural ap-" pearance second, cleanliness third, and speed and economy last.
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It is admitted that fully at- 1 streamlined form was not
tempted in the design to which I refer, because that would have entafled too exaggerated an ap
too long ⇓ tall pearance and projecting dangerously behind the back axle. Neither did I adopt cycle-type wings, which in them- selves are ways, nor a completely enclosed frontal aspect. Rather was the design an attempt to gain as much advantage as possible from a streamline eddy-free form while using a normal radiator and chas- sis; that is, a modern car of character without being revolu tionaly.
benencial in certain
As to speed, a standard-type Bentley. with any of the various types of standard closed bodies, will exceed 90 m.ph. Mine has achieved 98 m.p.h., but the op- portunities for such speed are so few and far between that I lean to the view that speed in itself is not at all the main considera tion. Economy is certainly as- aisted, but not to the extens uf 40 per cent., as has been suggest ed. I can quote a rün from Lon- don to Glasgow at a very good average speed, on which the petrol consumption averaged 20.3 m.p.8. Usually the average is 18 m.p.g. These are exceptional results with a 31 cwt, car of high performance with a two-carburetter engine.
Figures have been advanced during the past twelve months which would indicate that Я streamlined body, requires less than 60 per cent. of the power required in the case of a normal body at about 80 m.p.h. The Elf- fel Tower formula Agures quoted In my last article on this subject lent support to this view, but this is where theory and practice. I timorously suggest, are not allled. If we were able to adopt perfect streamline forms the oft-quoted calculations of the reduction of drag might be borne out in prac-. tice. But a four-wheeled car does not lend itself to perfect stream- lining unless the front and tail are extended beyond practical Umitations; and, more important still until the entire underpart of the chassis is streamlined as perfectly as the body and tall, theoretical calculatioins of drag. I submit, are entirely fallacious,
It may not be possible or prac- tical to streamline the underpart of a normal engine-in-front chas- sis perfectly, because of the heat and fumes which would be shut in and the Inaccessibility of parts which would result, but until these problems are considered and surmounted calculations of the theoretical gain in speed should be modified, or, alterna- tively, proved by performance, if such a thing. is possible,
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chief advantage I find in a streamlined body, that is, the more practical one of copious" en- closed luggage space. Due to the tive seats on my car being ax- ranged between the axles, there is exceptional luggage accommoda tion in the tall, for it is possible to stow tour good-sized suitcases, a valise and three coats Inside the tail, weatherproof and secure under a Yale lock. That is how I toured this summer on the Con- tinent. More could have been carried if necessary, as the lid of of the compartment folds down. wards horizontally and can be used as a grid if desired. I was surprised and disappointed that more 1935 designs at Olympia did not adopt this, convenient method of luggage carrying.
Much has been written on the subject of the ideal place for the wheel or wheels. If the spare position at the side is not ideal it does at any rate permit free use of the tall for luggage, and my present Airline Bentley is the first of many vehicles I have owned to provide enough luggage" room for the number of passengers it can accommodate. At the Olym- pia and Paris Shows one noticed that many big cars had the wheel stored in the tall, where it is neat and unoffending, until baggage space is needed,
appearance:
As to port two, that, of curse, is a matter of opthlon. Many have put my car on a far higher plane than I ever conceived. Others do not favour streamlining, but the fact that there were at least six examples of Airline bodies-as opposed to complete streamlining-in the 1935 range at the Show indicates that many approve the style.
Cleanliness is a point" seldom mentioned in connection with streamlining. but I can say from experience that the natural air- flow around the body results in the tall and
sides remarkably
clean, and friends follwing me on wet roads have told me of what I cannot see, ie, the extraordinary absence of surging spray around the tail. A gain due to unbroken easier to lines, the body is far clean.
- As to comfort, there is every bit an Airline as much luxury in form
In Any other if it 19 schemed aright, and the most use- ful natural shelf hehind the rear seats as a result of the Airline exterior is a boo
.Streamlined forms of bodies are progressing, the public is becom ing rapidly accustomed to „thể” natural and smooth lines adopt- ed, bigger body interiors would be appreciated by all, and already the benefits of the streamline Vogue are discernible in normal- type bodies, but in my view too much emphasis has been laid on the claims to extra speed attain able, and not enough on other in- herent advantage.
FIRE-RESCUE WORK
Fire-fighting nowadays is a very highly organised branch of public authorities' work, and motor vehicles are being em ployed more and more by pro- gressive towns "and cities. A very useful addition has just been made to Sheffield's Beet, for instance, in the form of a rescue tender mounted ода Dennis Ace chassis,
This is fitted with a draw-bar at the rear for towing a traller pump and is very fully equipped. It possesses four sets of breath- ing apparatus, oxygen resuscitat- -| ing equipment and oxy-acetylene cutting plant. In the main part of the body is a hose reel carry ing 180 ft. of hose, which is fed ‚ ̈by a pump from à 40 gallon tank. 'A' telescopic ladder is carried on the roof and there is food-lighting equipment.
COST OF A BEACON
Off-repeated maxims do not prove a point. If and when rear- engined chassis became the vogue, the problem of perfectly stream> Uning the whole of the chassis, both above and below, will be greatly simplified; and then, and then only will any appreciable gain in touring speed from 1 In answer to Mr. Hutchison, the given power be observable. It Minister of -Transport said in the should further be added that all House of Commons that the ap- roads twist and twirl so that a proximate cost of providing and car manifestly cannot be travellerecting a pedestrian-crossing ing head on to the wind at all beacon was 306. The globes were times, even if the wind is in the fixed, In the same way as trade most favourable general direction. light signals, at about seven feet Haring thus, dealt with exag-above the footway, so as to allow gerated claims as to speed to my sufficient clearance for pedes own satisfaction, I revert to the trians. •
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY -1. 1935.
MOTOR
JOTTINGS
CLEARING MAIN LONDON TRAFFIC AMBER LIGHTS
HIGHWAYS
Ribbon Development
To Be Restricted
As was rather to be expected, "the inertia of the highway autho- rities" of Great Britain combined with the eagerness of landowners and speculative builders to seize any opportunity for profit. has led usefulness of several of the new by-pass roads being reduced.
of This is due to the form activity commonly known as rib- ban development, a term which is unfortunately by now so fami- llar as not to require explanation. The result is that householders on these roads are, exposed to unnecessary dangers from fast- moving traffic and read transport concerns lose money and time, the congestion caused owing to by waiting vehicles.
To say that this position might "have been foreseen is easy, but there is this justification for the statement in that as long ago as 1909 the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act gave the highway authorities power to re- strict building development along new roads. The mystery is why this power has not been exercis- ed, except in Surrey, Essex, and Middiessex, where all building within 200 ft. of a main road is prohibited and the number and position of side roads can be re- gulated. Alternatively, any land for 220 yards on either side of the road can be compulsorily pur- chased.
the
SCHEMES
The London Passenger Trans- port Board is to take steps, dur ing the next session of Parlia- ment, to secure powers such as: will enable them to improve pass- enger transport facilities in both inner and outer London. The advantages of unified control over these services are shown in the proposal to link the Metropolitan and Bakerloo lines by & Tube rallway running from Finchley- road on the former, to 'Baker- street on the latter, system.
This will involve the recon- struction of Baker-street station, bur w enable a through service to be provided between the Met- ropolitan main line and the West End of London.
It is further proposed to widen the Metropollan system between Harrow and Rickmansworth by providing two additional tracks. This will becessitate the recon- struction of several stations, and will form part of an improvement enabling electric working to be extended from Rickmansworth to Amershami.
Other railway works include the construction of a short line at Uxbridge to a point in the High- street, where a new station will
built, the re-siting of Aldgate Enst station, and the carrying
of the Inner Circle at Cromwell- road Kensington under the Dis-" trict main line by a y-under Junction, and bringing it into the centre platformas at South Ken- sington station. This should do much to reduce the delays, which now occur at this point
It is further proposed to con- tinue the policy of substituting
This being the position. British Road Federation have sent a memorandum to the Minis-trolley buses for tramways, and ter of Transport asking that similar-powers should-be-given-to- that- every County Council and the further extension of ribbon development should thus be pre- vented.
As regards roads which are al- ready handicapped from this cause, it is suggested that a 15- ft. carriageway should be driven through the 35-ft, grass margins, which usually exist for the ac- commodation of local and stand- ing traffic, and that bays should also be provided for omnibus stops. If this were done, it is thought that most of the inciden- tal traffic would be cleared off- the main highway and conditions greatly improved.
Urgency in the matter is p'ead- ed now that the Road Traffic Act imposes a speed limit in bult- up areas This procedure has of course already been adopted on the Kingston By-pass and might be extended.
THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE
Operative From January 1
The Minister of Transport, has decided to bring into operation on Jánuary 1st, 1935, the provi- sions of Part II of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, and to alter the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Riks) Regulations, 1933.
The Act provides that certain classes of limitations on a policy shall have no effect. so far, as concerns third-party personal injury claims as required to be covered by the Road Traffic Acts, 1930 and 1934. The Act also Im- Doses the liability to pay the 12s. 6c emergency treatment fee.
a scheme providing for the con- version of 58 miles of route has been prepared. This covers lines in Rendon Finchley, Wood Green, Hornsey, Tottenham, Waltham- stow, Chingford. Leyton, Wan- stead, West Ham, East Ham, and North Woolwich,
THE SILENT KNIGHT
Warning In Silence Zones
A
With the ban on 'the sounding of horns in silence zones after 1130 p.m. many people have come" forward with ideas for using a 'light in place of the horn.
bright beam of light flung on.to the surface of the road well ahead of a car will give warning of its approach to a corner before the car itself is visible to the driver of another, but where there are street lamps a steady beam of light will not show up so well. A light which flicks *and off would be more likely to attract attention than a consant beam. The Silent Knight is a warming device which automatically flicks the headlamps, or, a special spot- light, on and off, when the horn button is used for its operation.
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The device is compact and fits under the bonnet on the scuttle. It consists of a change-over switch for operating either the lamps or the horn, and a solenoid and magnetic rotor. When the horn is disconnected by the change-over switch, the horn but- ton operates the lamps and gives a flickering effect of 60 or 80 "winks per minute, the reason being that as current passes into the coll the rotor is attracted by the
magnetism induced. The
The authorised insurers desire to make it clear to all policy-movement of the rotor breaks holders that there is no need for contact and dicks the light. The them to return their existing cer- rofor returns, establishes an elect- tificates or communicate with ric circuit once more. Is attracted their insurers with regard to the to the magnet and breaks con conditions which will be applic- tact again, this process continuing able after January 1st. Existing so long as the horn button is de poiicles and certificates will be pressed. held to provide the insurance re- quired by the new provisions until such" policies and certificates expire, except in cases where in dividual notice is given to the. policy-holders."
HUMBER DIVIDEND.
The directors of Humber, Ltd., announce that they are recom mending at the forthcoming an nual general meet dividends of 15 per cent, less tax, on the 15 per cent, non-cumulative prefer- ed ordinary shares of 10s. each, and 10 per cent, less tax, on the of 15. deferred ordinary
1934
Policy-holders are reminded that. If an accident occurs when a motor vehicle is used in con- travention of the terms or con- ditions of the insurance policy some insurers may exercise their right to recover from the policy holder compensation which has been paid in respect of a third-reach party personal injury claim.
the year ended July 31st."
IN FOG
A common bellef among use of a motorists is that the coloured driving' light, usually of amber, is an sid to visibility when driving. 'in fog. Three years ago the International Com- mission on Illumination passed a provisional resolution' stating that there was no: advantage to be gained by using coloured head light beams in fog. Subsequent-
that resolution was with- drawn, partly because the evi- dence in favour of the statement was indirect and of too vague a character. "Last winter the Na- tional Physical Laboratory at Teddington carried outer met- hodical series "of tests during heavy fogs, and have recently announced the results of theft experiments. The official' And- ings are below:-
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**The distance, at which observer could Just detect test-object through the fog was determined, both with the un- screened head Ughts and em- ploying glass filters of various "colours—orange, red, and blue- green. Of course, altering the colour of a head light beam by placing a coloured glass plate over the head light also diminis hes the intensity of the light. experiments The results of the point to the conclusion that the only effect on range of visibility in "fog
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CAR-PAKING PROBLEM
Vertical Garages Of The Future
Any device which, may, lead to the solving of the car-parking problem in large towns must be seriously considered, and there is in London a working model of a garage which can accommodate an exceptionally large number of gize. cars in proportion to Its This garage is known in England the Simon Patent Vertical Garage. and it is constructed under
patent originally taken out in the USA, by the Westinghouse Electric and Manu- It is facturing Co., Pitttsburg. manufactured by Henry Simon. Ltd. In conjunction with Metro politan Vickers Electrical Co... Ltd., who are the owners of the Fnglish patent..
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The garage consists of a num- ber of light cradles, or trays, each one holding. car and being suspended from endless chains. The chains pass over the sprocket wheels at the top and bottom of the building, and are driven by electric motors housed in the basement. The garage would only require one man in charge. to work press buttons like a t man. Each cradle is numbered, and on pressing the button cor- responding to that number the appropriate cradle descends.
The convenience of such a garage built into offices, theatres cinemas, or blocks of dats is ob-
in. one at a
the
vious. Cars drive due to inserting the coloured glasses arises from this time, the door is shut, and
eage is Ufted until the next empty mininution of intensity, which is
cage comes round. When a car is accompanied by a reduction in the penetration of the beam required again the cage descends through the fog. The distance and the car is driven out un- at which the test object could be touched by anyone except the discerned Was the same with owner. An average of about one coloured "glasses as with clear, minute is necessary to remove a colourless glasses, provided the particular car. Each machine oc- intensity of light, after passing cuples a space of about 16ft. by through the glasses, was the 24ft or less, and a single garage same in each case."
with a height of about 80ft. could Motorists will no doubt con- take eighteen cars. There is in tinue to
existence in Chicago a use amber glass and
garage screens, however, since they form with three such vertical units at- a useful means of reducing the tached to a theatre. - Intensity of light which is de- sirable in actual practice on the roads.'
Another adaptation of the idea would be a horizontal garage for
use in underground parks and public squares. "Cars could be stored two high in an excavations About 201 deep, since bo manœuvring space need be allow- ed for...
In the case of blocks of flats the switches Instead of being push buttons, could be Yale-type locks, each owner having a key for his own car gage., The, whole idea is fun of · possibilities for badly congested areas like the West End of London, where car accommodation is hard to ind and parking in the streets is one
of of the chief, causes
trafic blockages.
„SEE THAT VET, SEE
THAT DRY
Here is a true story, vouched for by a correspondent living in Aldershot, who relates the adven- tures of a brother officer. This gentleman was driving his car near Olympla when a brand-new 1935 Frazer Nash shot out, and in avoiding it he hit a lamp- post: The driver apologised and offered to lend him a car until
his was repaired. He accepted, and sallied forth in a new 1935 four-“ seater. This be parked in Karl's. Court, where "a. "police car came -round the corner too fast and ran into the parked vehicle, putting it out of action. The police were "quite nice" about it" (vide??.../ Stanley Holloway), and lent him a police Riley.
As he was driving out of town next Sunday, another police car saw the Riley and gave chase, the officers thinking it had been stolen Our friend was run into the side, and again came to rest at a lamp-post. Came .explana- tions, telephone messages, more apologies, and finally the offer of another car. This offer, however, was not accepted. He went on train, which is unfortunate for we shall never know how far Fate was will'rg to take this little joke.
TRUST A THORNYCROFT With Your TRANSPORT,
DEAL DIRECT
THORNYCROFT
SIX-CYLINDERED.
COACHES & OMNIBUSES
MOTOR VEHICLES
DIESEL OR PETROL
Ploscer Manufacturers of Commerafal
Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong
4 or 6 Wheels
4 or 6 Cylinders
80 Cwt. to 10 Ton Loads
20 to 70 Passengers
JOHN L THORNTCROIT & CO., LIMITED.
Pioneer Building, Hathan Road. Kowloon,
TEL. 56752.
TRUST A THORNYCROFT. WITH YOUR TRANSPORT