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THE NEW BLUE BIRD
Attempt To Reach 300 m.p.h.
The only man alive who has travelled at over 200 miles an hour on land will not rest until he has achieved 300 m.ph.-Ave miles a minute.
Sir Malcolm Campbell, with his car Blue Bird re-incarnated in a new body left for Daytona Beach, Cunard- Florida, on board the White Star liner Aquitania on Jan. 23, and, with.propitious weather hopes to achieve his ille's ambition before the end of February.
In its new shape the great car resembles a whate, or one of those an old dolphin figures from illustrated Bible. There is a huge, beautifully proportioned finned tail at the rear, its tip rising high above Campbell's head as he sits at the wheel, two blunt fins forward of his cockpit (the eng- ine's double bank of cylinders) and a great fattened head with a single central nostril above a wide slit of a mouth only an inch or two in depth, but extending from side to side between the ears form. ed. by the fairings over the front wheels.
.
This strange "alit is to admit cooling air to the radiator and engine. There is a lever in the cockpit by which it can be closed, and closing it is estimated to add 15 miles an hour to the car's.max- imum 'speed by lessened wind re- sistance. But even Campbell is
doubtful whether, travelling Mat cut, he will have a hand to spare from the steering wheel to close that gaping mouth,
·
New Braking System
In essentials the car is the same Blue Bird as that which raised the world's record to 272.46 m.p.h. at- Daytona two years ago. Its engine is still the 12-cylinder Rolls-Royce. developing about 2,500 h.p. at full bore. The chief changes that have been made, and that make Campbell confident of new figures ff the beach behaves, are the new and more perfectly stream-lined body, twin rear wheels to check wheel-slip accelerating, and a new braking system.
If there was unlimited room at Daytona, 300 m.p.h. would be the- oretically well within the car's reach; the problem is to get up. speed, cover the measured mile. and pull up within the nine miles usable. When Campbell apples the brakes-ever so cautiously- after-passing the mile post two hinged flaps in the steel skin just behind his cockpit will be raised air brakes; vertically to act as further pressure of the brake pedal applies the wheel brakes.
The car is 281ft in length, and weighs 41 tons. It carries 40 gallons of fuel, and consumes it at the rate of,2.9 gallons a minute.
WORLD'S PETROL COMPREHENSIVE
CONSUMPTION
Increased During 1934
How much petrol did the world use last year is the question which a recent article in "The Petroleum
answer. The Times" seeks to foreign all department of Henry L. Doherty and Co., of New York, and has carefully complied estimated details concerning cil
and production,
consumption throughout the world, and has issued figures well in advance of the time when official figures are due. "The Petroleum Tlines" states that for several years, when the official figures have at last been forthcoming,
previously those complied by Henry L. Doherty and Co. have proved remarkably close: Doherty's figures for 1934 show that the world's production of petroleum will equal, if not sur- pass, the peak output of 1929, and this high yield has been reached although the United States had been allowed to produce only about 1 per cent. more thari in the preceding year. The U.S.A. produce nearly 62 per cent, of the world's total. All other important producing countries, except Ver- ezuela, Mexico, and Colombia,- probably reached their highest peak last year.
The world's consumption of... Detroleum, its products and relat- ed fuels, is estimated at 1,438,000, 000 barrels. This is a substantial increase over 1933, although it does not equal the peak consump- tion of 1829. The increased con- sumption in the various countries is estimated as follows: in the United States at 4 per cent., in France at 5 per cent., in Canada at 8 per cent, in the United King- dóm at about 10 per cent., and in' Germany about 15 per cent. In Russia there is a small increase in consumption, a decline of exports, and a new peak production figure. The probable result is an increase.. in stock often ascribed to the im portance that Russia places on in ample available supply of fuel in case of international difficulties. Japan, it is noteworthy, has made mandatory on petroleum marketers to keep at all times a six months' supply in storage.
From figures of the world's
petrol consumption the enormous
nature of the trade can be ap
preciated. In the United Kingdom as can be shown by official statis tics, consumption approaches 100,000,000 gallons per month In the United States consumption is fourteen times as great, or over $1,350,000,000 gallons per month, The State of New York along con- sumes 50 per cent more petrol than the entire United Kingdom! The figures already established for petrol consumption last year show an increase over the correspond ing figures for the previous Twelve months
SIGNALLING
Interesting Device
Four signals can be given to over-taking traffic by a device designed and patented by Mr. R. F. G. Burns, Leeds. It consists of a box-like element divided into compartments which, when â switch is" operated, exhibit the words "Do not overtake" or "You may overtake," or an arrow show- ing a proposed turn to the right or a similar arrow giving warning. that. a turn to the left is about to be made. Only one signal at a time is visible and normally the panel on which the signals ap- pear is blank. Particularly in the case of heavy vehicles such an indicator board" may well have advantages. It is, of course, unwise for an overtaking driver to rely entirely on the opinion of a man in front as to whether he. can or cannot safely pass. Cer- tainly, no signal from a driver in front can excuse a driver behind If he tries to overtake and finds that he cannot safely do so. On. the other hand, it is always satis- factory to be told that the man in front is prepared to allow one to pass, and often just as well to know that in his opinion one can safely do so.
THE V-TYPE ENGINES
More Body Space
There is an insistent. demand from the motoring public for still more body space. This demand in the past has had its effect upon chassis design generally, as witness the forward mounting of: radiators and power units, and it is more than likely that it may again lead designers to make an Important change.
of
It is inconceivable at this stage development that the number
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1935
MOTOR
THE BERLIN SHOW
Interesting Designs Expected
The German Motor Show, known as the International Auto- mobile and Motor Cycle Exhibi- tion, will, as recently announced in the German Press, be held in Berlin from February 14th-24th, 1935. As usual, the big Kaiser- damm exhibition halls in Charlot tenburg will be used for the pur- pose. This year's exhibition, apart from
cars, lorries, motor cycles and accessories, will com prise garage and workshop equip. ment, as well as various kinds of fuel engines and will be spread over eight halls in all, apart from a considerable ares of uncovered exhibition ground.
As to what in detail may be ex- pected from this show, opinions differ, but persons in various informed quarters agree on the point that it will be a manifesta- tion on a large scale of the nation's determined will towards motorisation, which has been ex- pressed in the various stimull given to the motor trade by the Government.
and The
the Parts Show Olympia Exhibition have given some glimpses of what will be found at the Berlin Show.
The Mercedes rear engine, the Porsche torsion rod
suspension,
the DKW, two-stroke engines, streamlining, front drive, and floating axles, Opel knee axles, to mention only a few developments. provide examples of the lines along which the German motor industry will proceed in 1935 on: s probably increased production scale. It is a condition imposed on exhibitors that the models shown must be available for the public to buy by July 1st, 1935 In the event of this not being complied with fines ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 RM (roughly £500 to £4.500) may be imposed.
Apart from the exhibits of the various manufacturers there will be interesting displays by allied societies such
the State railways, the associations repre- seating motorists, manufacturers and traders, and so forth.
35.
DE LUXE CAR
RADIO
New Philco 2-unit
Set
The popularity of car radio in road vehicles has led the Philco Radio and Television Corporation of Great Britain; Ltd:" to produce a further large de luxe model for .. passenger coaches, which would also be suitable for large closed- cars and limousines. This model is known as the model 801T and
4
JOTTINGS
THE CROSSINGS TEACHING THE
Pedestrians To Be “Controlled"?
.11
Referring to the Pedestrian Crossing Places Regulations, the Home Secretary, Sir John Gilmour, stated in the House of Commons that the time had come when more active measures by way of prosecutions must be undertaken for securing compliance with them. In the plans which have been prepared. plain-clothes officers, in addition to the uni- form police, will be employed, No difference is to be made bet-- weea pedestrians and motorists,
Sir John added.
If this latter statement is veri~ fed in practice, it will mark a great step towards the solution of traffic difficulties. There is na justification for the unfair dis- tinctions between the careless motorist and the careless pedes- trian that has been made in the past. In certain circumstances they are both equally dangerous, and should be dealt with equally severely. But have the police been "emphatically instructed to pay strict attention to obstruc- tive and foolhardy pedestrians? The danger is that they will still be dealt with by warning and Strict drivers by prosecution. enforcement of the Regulations is the way to make a success of the crossing scheme, but there must be no discrimination be- *tween the different classes of road users. Sir John's statement is in need of amplification and repetition.
Especially is further Informa- tion needed as to the Govern- ment's intentions in the matter of pedestrians who wander about the streets and disregard the official crossing places even when there are plenty of them readily available.
The first decision-to walt and see whether the cross- ings would automatically attract all pedestrians to use them was reasonable enough, but the time has now come for more drastic action against those foot-pas- sengers who, by their inconside- rate behaviour, are not giving the crossings · a fair chance to show their value.
As regards the use of plain- clothes men, this will be viewed with distaste. In many quarters.
If it is true that stricter control. of the traffic will cure many of our problems. We do not dis- Approve of the mdve for the present-again provided they are used, against pedestrians, horse drivers," - cyclists and motorists alike. But when traffic comes more automatically to obey the crossing rules the plain-clothes men should be withdrawn from this duty. There is in it too strong a favour of the trap."
SILENCE IN ITALY
is for 12-volt electrical circuits Experiment To Be
The cost is 24 guíneas.
The set consists of two units. One is a container less than 12in. square containing the balanced superheterodyne set which has seven valves,
including three multi-purpose valves giving the effect of a 10-valve performance. It has Class B amplification, with- an output of 5 watts. The auto- matic volume control is of im proved type, the hiss between stations when tuning having been cut out. There is also a built-
in Alter system to eliminate interference. The second unit is.
of cylinders should be reduced, but an attractive alternative is to a separate full-sized moving coll arrange the cylinders in V. forma-loud speaker, which may be ob
Extended
British motorists who have toured in Italy have almost cer- tainly been impressed, and often horrified, by the incessant din-of motor horns so dear to the Italian driver. About a fortnight ago the Italians decided to make an ex- periment in Rome on the lines of silence zones. Judging by the wireless news bulletin which is broadcast weekly in English from Rome the trial trip has an en-
ormous
•success indeed, the Italians appear to have been amazed at the comparative ease can be tackled, and the system. is being extended to Milan.
tion. There are already numbers Tained in chromium plate for 156 with which the noise nuisance
of well-known cars with V-type. engines, and in the main these have proved just as satisfactory as have engines with their cyll ders in line. It is, of course, obvious that this design material ly shortens the overall length of an engine of a given capacity, but it may also lead to an increase in the number of cylinders, for it is probable that for a medium-sized
extra. The controls could be the dash-board or mounted on steering column, or in the rear the serial would be placed under compartment of a aimousine, and the running board or in the roof.
Even in England, where the considerable compared with the horn-blowing nulaance has been
"state of affairs in other countries, "ulence zones" have been appré- ciated; it is to be anticipated Easy and Quick
that residents in Continental negro was arrested and towns will have even more cause brought before a commissioner to bless the example set originally
car at present fitted with a six- for having a still on his premises, in Paris, cylinder engine a V-type power. He was acked by the commissio- unit with eight cylinders would ner: "Bow do you plead ?”
be used, and for large size - The negro answered: "I pleads cylinder-engined chassis a V-type gulity and waives the hearing” “double-six” which would giva 2 relatively smaller saving of space, although on such large chassis it should be suficien
“What do you mean, Walve the? bearings
·Hint For
A about "I means I don't wanta heah- married Do me about it
about 11
TEACHERS
Congratulations may fairly be offered to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolla for developments that are taking place in connection with the Metropolitan Police College a Hendon. Immediately adjoining the college a motoring school for police drivers was recently, est- ablished, primarily for the tuition of the men in charge of the Flying Squad and Q patrol cars. These men are "instructed in the finer arts of driving, the lessons even extending to the best way in which to ram an offending mach-... ine scientifically.
It is felt that if the 30 m.ph. speed limit in bullt-up, areas smes into effect more drivera will be required for the various types of vehicles used by the Metro- politan Police Force. It is very much to be hoped that the new training will not be confined ex- clusively to Flying Squad and G car drivers; it should undoubted- ly extend also to the ordinary mobile men, for whose employ- ment the real justification is that they shall know just how a motor vehicle should be driven When the mobile units were formed it was stated that the men would be in a position to give kindly advice to errant motorists and explain to them just why certain be haviour was inconsiderate and angerous. There has been Д good deal ofjustifiable criticism of the "mobile police drivers, and, while there is no need for them to be taught how to use their cars as battering rams, there is certainly need for a good many of them to receive further instruc- tion in less drastic methods of driving, so that they may be in a position not only to advise; but also by their own driving" set a good example to the whole motor- ing community.
1
If He Is A Good Catch "The modern girl throws herself at her young man," says a writer.
MOTORISITS IN ARMS!
Dissatisfaction At
Home
New Year resolutions are noto- riously brittle, but there are un- mistakable signs that motorists have made one yow which they
propose to keep. It is to let the powers that be know. in no un- certain voice that they are hear- tily tired of being over-taxed and over-regulated. Already, two new motoring organisations—in "Card-
and Manchester-have come into existence, their objects, be ing to provide "shock troops": to fight the motorists battle. They are all for a united front, and though at first sight the forma- tion of two separate bodies with identical aims may not appear. the best way to achieve it, we welcome their advent, "for it in- " dicates that dissatisfaction is
·widespread and not merely local The more, vociferous the motorist is the more notice will be taken of
him by the Governmen", That has been amply proved by the activities of organisations with not a tithe of the member- ship of, for example, the. A.A-- claiming to represent the in- terests of cyclists and pedestrians.
We are glad to see the forma- tion of the new motoring bodies for two reasons: they slow, as we have said that there really is a big wave of revolt against the unfair treatment of the motoring
"community, and they also will furnish evidence to the older organisations that they must move with the times. It is often said that the RAC, the A.A.. and the Motor Legislation Com- mittee are asleep that they have not stirred a finger to prevent the passing of new Acts of Par- Bament and the issuing of anti- motor regulations and orders. This criticism is unjust, for a great deal of useful work has been done by them behind the scenes. But what goes on “back stage" cannot be known to the audience, which consists in this instance of the motorteg 'public. "The older bodies must come
out into the limelight."
12
A Happy Medium
How The Ribbon Buildin
Nuisance Was Tackled
There is a happy, medium be- tween the course which the Motor Legislation Committee has pur- sued—an oyster-like polley--and methods which would appear to savour of giving away offcial secrets. What could be done by the MLC. without lowering its prestige in oricial quarters is to let the "public know precisely what active line it is taking and: the concessions for motorists that it has been able to secure.
In this connection, lest some of the malcontents feel inclined to. assert that the MLC has done nothing for which it can claim credit, it may be well to mention that it was in its offices that the campaign against ribbon building was organised-yet. very few are aware of the fact. That cam- paign, which is of the most vital importance to motorista, has been. so successful that it has made the Prime Minister promise to intro- duce
a Bu
into the House of Commons to deal with the matter
in the very near future.
#
Even the MLC., however, of which the RAC, the Royal Scot- tish A.C., and the A.A. are mem- bers, cannot do everything It may wish unless motorists throughout the country, are demanding the same line of action. The forma tion of new local bodies, such as those in South Wales and Lan- cashire, proves that they are." The new bodies may be a little more outspoken than their older brothers, but the objects in view. are the same. Let all motor vehicle owners get together. whether in local associations or otherwise, and let them not hesitate to voice their opinions loudly. Only by so doing shall we overcome the old-established idea that the motoring community may grumble but will never rebel.
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