Much Ingenuity In Army's Mobile Workshop

Chronicle (Levin), 30 April 1949, Page 4

Much Ingenuity In Army's Mobile Workshop

Much ingenuity has gone in o the planning of the mobile workshop which has teen in Levin this week in conneetion with the Regular Army recruiting campaign under Major E. G. Spraggon. In a space no more than 60 square feet is nacked all the mechanieal repairing requirements of a modern army — within limitaions. The heavy four-wrheel driv'e truck is a complete travel.ing repair outfit: The first thing to strike the eye w.hen.entering this hobbyis.'s. paradise is a well-kept modern 'athe with a five inch swing. This is lodged at the front of the truck with suitable lighung above it. The power take-off is ' from the truck's engine. which drives a 110voT,t 1-h .k.w, D.C. generator. From this the power goes to a panel for distribution to the lathe, a beautifu'.ly set-up American grinder with built-in- lighting, an electric welding plant, a battery charging p'ant with a 10-battery capacity, electric drill, compressor and spray painting plant and interior and exterior portable lighting:' Bes des this. the truck carries a portable blacksmith's forge and anvi! and s.and, hand drill press and hand press, kits of tools for electricians, mechanics, motor vehicle fitters. blacksmiths, carpenters and general repair work. Among other wonders are nortable benches and a portable vice to be used ou.side. Canopies can be set up quickiy outside the truck tcextend the field of operations. All this equipment is fitted compactly into a comparatively smali space. When a "Chronicle" rep'orter viewed the truck, three men were busy st various jobs and yet there still seemed to be plenty of room. As an advertising motive, the truck is a so carrying a smad 58,000 candle-power searchlight, designed for prison and mili.ary camp idumination. This has its own 2,000 watt generatpr driven by a 3£ h.p. motor. i ■