ARMOURED VEHICLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20603, 3 November 1941, Page 9

ARMOURED VEHICLES

GISBORNE DESIGNER MODELS SUBMITTED The possibility of improving on types of armoured fighting vehicles available to troops of the Empire forces in the present war, and particularly to those of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, was behind the development of three models which Mr. Chas. Drummond, Berry street, Gisborne, L submitting to the Army Department for examination. Sti’eamlining is an outstanding feature of the models, which are designed for fitting to catei'pillar or heavy-duty motor-loiTy bases. Mr. Drummond’s contention is that the vehicles now in use, both for transporting infantry and for shock attacks, offer too many opportunities to enemy counter-fire, and that streamlining and adequate armour will protect troops and drivers as well as armament operators. In the case of a troop-carrying truck, he has provided for a bulletnosed top, fitted with flaps which normally will be lowered for general ventilation, but which in action would be raised, to give cover to the occupants of the body. All the flaps have fighting-ports from which automatic weapons could bring heavy fire to bear on enemy troops.

A second type is also designed for troop-carrying, and a special feature is Ihe fighting-ports which, by mechanical means, can be swung out beyond the line of the vehicle to give forward and rear fire, as well as lateral. These fighting-ports are ingenious in design, and include platforms on which the gunners could be moved with their pieces. Transport for Artillery In one of these models, there is space for carrying a field gun up to 25pdr. calibre, the object being to transport artilleiy quickly to points from which it can be used to the best effect. Gun-crews and supporting infantry would travel in the same vehicle, which Mr. Drummond considers would be best mounted on a six-wheeled truck chassis.

The latest development of the Gisborne designer is a stream-lined tank body, likewise bullet-nosed, and presenting a smooth, clean outline from any angle until the moment it goes into close action. This model includes a turret feature which would offer a mark for enemy fire only when the tank was preparing to fire. Normally it is depressed into a position in which it forms part of the outline of the model. The tank-top includes a port, operated by internal levers, which would enable the gun to be raised ready in fii’ing position, pointing forward, while the turret mechanism is also suitable for rotary movement. Massive strength is a feature of all the models, which Mr. Drummond has constructed with considerable skill from waste metal. His argument is that any one of his designs, fitted to a heavy chassis, would roll back on to its tracks if for any reason it was overtuimed. Heavy steel rails running fi-om the nose right over to the rear of the body are incorporated to take any shock imposed on the structure by collision, and also to act as a guai'd against the vehicle becoming entangled with wire. Mr. Drummond considers that vehicles built on tfie lines of his models would simply slip under any wire entanglements they encountered.