MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1918, Page 7

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

- A TRANSPORT TEST. ; TRUCKS BEAT TRAINS. 'the American authorities recently held an instructive transport test between Atlanta and Chattanooga, a disriiffA 6 °! , miles of g° oll > ' 1 and indifferent roads. The object is to determine the speed with which American troops can be moved by motor vehicles in companson with the known rate of ted , y .f' r s ets ' The test attracted considerable interest, particularly as a special new type of transport body was also being tried out. The result of the r un surpnaed expeHs and ties nhke, for the whole body of soldiers were landed at their destination iu five hours, 33 minutes, whilst the return journey was accomplished in five hours two minutes. At times the transport tram reached 49 miles an hour, which only servea t0 show the possibilities that lie in the motorization of troop transport, The motor trucks beat the fastest train time between the two points named. One of the features of the truck body used m this test is the perfect balance of the lead. The troops sit back to back lengthwise of the body and their rifles, wiien not immediately needed may be stored in rifle chests built between the backs of the seats. The foot rails and arm rest protect them from being swayed or thrown off when rounding corners at high speed or moving rapidly over rough roads. The foot rail is one of the important features of the design, because it is hinged and lowered to serve as a step when mounting, and then raised and locked in position to act as a foot brace when riding. The new transport is expected to eliminate baggage wagons to a large extent as each man carries his own shelter tent, blankets, extra underclothing, Bhoes, and all other equipment usually carried by troops on the march. All of wis material is carried in lockers under the seats, which are accessible when riding on the truck or when standing on the ground. Special lockers are proTided for 500 rounds of ammunition for each man. In the rear of the truck there is a compartment that will hold three days' supply of the non-perishable components of rations, such as coffee, sugar, bacon, baked beans, hard bread, etc. It is obvious that this feature makes the truck of such wide utility that Its limits can only be guessed at. SPECIAL CLASSES. An American motor goggle manufacturer is marketing special glasses which are said to provide a remedy against the dazzling headlight nuisance. The left hand portion of each lenß is colored or shaded to a point reaching almost to the pupil of the eye, but not Interfering with the vision when the wearer of the goggles gazes directly fthead, holding his head in its usual position. When a car with undimmed headlights approaches, the owner of the protecting goggles has only to turn his head very slightly, about a fraction of an inch to the Tight, and the rays of light from the oncoming vehicle will pass through the shaded portion ,of the lenses. In substance, the view of the road ahead is .split in two lengthwise, With the portion directly in front well illuminated by the 'headlights of the car driven by the wearer of the safe goggles and the other half shaded for him by the dark section of his eyepieces. A spring in the goggles adjusts them to a face whose pupilary distance may be above or Mow normal. LABORATORY TUNNEL. ' The French Government is to consider the construction of a laboratory tunnel in which aviation engines could; be tested under exactly the same condition as when in the air. For this purpose the tunnel would have a rarified atmosphere in varying degrees of dampness and' artificially formed ice, hail, fogs, etc. There are two such tunnels in Germany. The proposed French tunnel will be 442 feet in length and the cost is estimated at £600,000, which would include the operating cost for a period of three years. OVER THE ALPS. When French and British troops were sent to the assistance 'of the Italian forces during the great German-Aus-trian drive of last November, motor vehicles were called upon to effect their transportatifti. The railroads over the Alps into Italy being inadequate to carry all the troops required within the very short time available, it was necessary to make use of every road over the mountains. For several weeks there was a long procession of Allied motor convoys passing over the Alpine passes at altitudes of 8000 to 10,000 feet, and in all several thousands of motor vehicles passed into Italy in this way, travelling over the roads which had been used by Napoleon and his legions 100 years before. Some of the convoys travelled a distance of more than 1000 miles, having come from Northern France to tho heart of Italy. \vhile all makes were represented, Fiat automobile lorries were in a majority, for by moving these to Italy they were brought nearer their home factory and tljeir base of supply. All .the freight carrying lorries were divided into groups, of 18 or 20, all in each group being of the same make, ai d each group being in charge of an officer who travel-.., led on a ,Fiat touring car. Every vehicle-, had aboard enough fuel for 250 miles running, while additional supplies werefj arranged for at various points on tho way. Each group had attached to it itas own mechanics, with hand tools suffi'j cient for carrying out all general pairs; also a reasonable stock of spared parts was provided for each group. At 4 intervals of approximately ten groups a" motor repair shop was provided for handling more extensive repair work than could be undertaken by the group: mechanics. One motor lorry in eachjl group was fitted up as a travelling kitchen, inside which it was possible io. prepare coffee and soup while travelling. In practically all cases arrangements were made to reach a town or village at nightfall, thus making it possible to billet- the men in farms, private houses, or public buildings. The average daily distance was 90 miles, this being as much as could be done in daylight on short winter days. Special arrangements had to be made to keep the roads in condition. On one of the Italian Alpine passes 20Q0 soldiers were constantly employed in widening dangerous turns, repairing damage done and clearing away snow ,