If you dream it, we'll make it!
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1906 Trentham Road
KYNETON 3444 VIC AUSTRALIA |
DIAMOND T HISTORY
BY IAN LEE
The Diamond T Airport Filling Tanker
Known as the “Doodlebug”
Known as the “Doodlebug”
In 1933 the centre of attraction at the Travel and Transport Fair Chicago was the Diamond T, a new unorthodox rear engine streamline airport tanker built for the Texas Oil Co. This new low centre of gravity double drop frame torpedo shaped with curved double glass windscreen and side doors, designed for minimum air resistance (whats new) tested in a wind tunnel used for aircraft design.
This new radical eye catching concept vehicle 20 years ahead of its time was the idea of W. Kiser, manager of motor equipment for the Texas company who worked on the details with Diamond T chief engineer C.A. Pierce, Chicago.
Some of the construction was carried out by Heil Company of Milwaukee, unfortunately, we understand there are no examples of this vehicle remaining today.
The rear engine is operated with an air accelerator, clutch, brakes, gears are also air operated as is the steering with gear shift mounted on the steering column.
A microphone is installed in the engine compartment to allow the driver to hear the motor for gear changes, the microphone switches off when the vehicle is in top gear.
The water cooled 110hp engine can be serviced by opening a rear lift up section giving full access to every point of the engine.
The radiator and engine are designed to lift out as the one section. The truck wheel base is 140 ins (3.5m)giving very good turning radius.
This new radical eye catching concept vehicle 20 years ahead of its time was the idea of W. Kiser, manager of motor equipment for the Texas company who worked on the details with Diamond T chief engineer C.A. Pierce, Chicago.
Some of the construction was carried out by Heil Company of Milwaukee, unfortunately, we understand there are no examples of this vehicle remaining today.
The rear engine is operated with an air accelerator, clutch, brakes, gears are also air operated as is the steering with gear shift mounted on the steering column.
A microphone is installed in the engine compartment to allow the driver to hear the motor for gear changes, the microphone switches off when the vehicle is in top gear.
The water cooled 110hp engine can be serviced by opening a rear lift up section giving full access to every point of the engine.
The radiator and engine are designed to lift out as the one section. The truck wheel base is 140 ins (3.5m)giving very good turning radius.
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The tanker capacity is 1500 gallons (682 litres), length 26ft (7.9m), width 92in (2.350m), height loaded 79 in (2m).
Dual rear wheels with 9.75 tyres and front 11.25 with 45 per cent of the weight on the front axle and 55 on the rear. This was for state regulations regarding axle loading, today the technology to build such a vehicle would be off the shelf components, but 74 years ago this must have been a very frustrating challenge for the Diamond T engineers. |
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Lee No.3 Pty Ltd
Trading since 1961 ACN: 005 204 599 ABN: 40 005 204 599 |
For more information please contact Ian Lee on 0428 507 408 tyldenheritage@bigpond.com |
PO Box 614
KYNETON 3444 VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA |