This is a peculiar model probably made only because not enough tank transporters were sold and this had not payed off for the cost of tooling. No money was to be spent on altering the die, may be Meccano did not want to alter the look of the trailer either. As most of Meccano's employees have gone now, we will never know the answer to many questions. Only deductions and logics can try to answer our curiosity.

if one wanders about the why of this model, one can think that it was a promotionnal issue for Alsthom. The manufacturing of the transformer was certainly not made by Meccano, it is too well made for a kit. Airfix was a possible supplier.

As I wrote before, I consider this as a poor model. Nobody has ever seen the real truck or the trailer which are both prototypes.

The prime mover modeled by Meccano is a type 200-6 prototype build by Rochet-Schneider of Lyon. The semi-trailer is also a prototype made by Coder. Both these prototypes have developped and the production models are as on the above picture taken at the Toussaint barracks in Agen (France). As Rochet-Schneider has been taken over by Berliet in 1951, the trucks have been build by Berliet under the reference T6, later TBU15 for the French army.

Terry, Jacques and Jan
Civilian versions of the Thornycroft Mighty Antar were used during the construction of the enormous Snowy Mountains Scheme in New South Wales and Victoria during the 1950s. These were specially imported by the Commonwealth Government with the trailers being manufactured in Australia, possibly in Sydney. As can be seen in the image below, these trailers did not conform with the 606, 908, or 986, which would no doubt be the same with civilianised Antar examples in the UK apart from those that were sold direct to civilian companies with the trailers being manufactured separately.
Bruce

Jacques

What a splendid photograph! You amaze me with what you and David dig out and share with us.

I wonder why Meccano did not use this trailer as its casting? Although I guess there has to have been a reason although right now I cannot think of one! :laugh: The trailer in your colour photograph certainly looks far better, although I am probably biased!

Bruce

A Mighty Antar been loaded for export.

The gigantic six-wheeled tractor illustrated on this page is the first of a series of 32 large and powerful vehicles for use in constructing a pipe line 560 miles long from Kirkuk, in Iraq, to the Port of Banias, on the Eastern Mediterranean coast. It has been designed and built by Transport Equipment (Thornycroft) Limited, in co-operation with the engineers of the Iraq Petroleum Company, and although the largest and most powerful vehicle of its kind ever constructed in this country, with many new and striking features, it was actually completed in 10 months.

The tractor is named the "Mighty Antar" after a celebrated Arab warrior of the 6th century who was also a poet. It will be employed in carrying pipes over desert tracks and sandy wastes in the Middle East, in country rising in places to a height of 3,500 ft., and where the temperatures range from 20 deg. of frost in winter to 120 deg. farhenheit in summer. It is itself capable of carrying loads of up to 32 tons, and for use in connection with it semi-trailers of special design are being built by Cranes (Dereham) Ltd. In addition there is a single low loading machinery trailer of 50 tons capacity, which will be used for the transport of oil-producing equipment.

The steel pipes that will form the chief load of the "Mighty Antar" and its semi-trailer are 93 ft. long and 2 ft. 6 in. in diameter. Each weighs 61 tons, and in the operations the aim is to complete 11 million ton-miles of transport a month. The tractor and semi-trailer between them may be loaded up to a gross train weight of 100 tons.

The first tractor, with low-loading trailer was shipped to the Middle East in the "Kantara" and reached the port of Tripoli, in Syria, towards the end of April. There it was intended to run as many miles as possible before the pipe-stringing operation was started, so that their Arab drivers could gain valuable experience. Left-hand drive is fitted, and the cab is well insulated to give its occupants protection against extremes of temperature. The normal crew consists of two men.

The engine, of the gigantic vehicle is a Meteorite Mark 101 diesel, with eight cylinders arranged in two blocks of four in V formation, at an angle of 60 deg. It has an output of 250 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m. Fuel for the engine is drawn by means of two Duplex pumps from the tractor's two tanks, each of which holds 100 gallons. The bore and stroke of the cylinders are 5.4 in. (19 cm) and 6 in. (15,2 cm.) respectively, and the capacity of the engine is 1,099 cu. in. or 18 litres The governed engine speed is 2,000 r.p.m. at full load, or 2,300 r.p.m. when running with no load. The actual highest speeds of the tractor are 20 1/2 m.p.h. (33 km/h) on direct drive and 28 m.p.h. (45 km/h) on overdrive, and its great power allows it to climb a gradient of 1 in 2 1/2.

Cooling required special attention in view of the high temperatures in which the vehicles are to work. The immense front grille actually covers large twin radiators, which. work together as one unit. The total capacity of the cooling system is-26 gallons, and the flow of air through the radiators is maintained by two fans, each running in a cowl behind one of the radiators. A special air cooler also is employed. This takes the form of a bank of horizontal tubes mounted on the front of the right hand of the two radiators. Below the latter is an arrangement of guards to protect them from brushwood and boulders.

An other interesting point is that the flywheel, clutch and gear-box unit is mounted separately from the engine, which is thus relieved of the weight of these. One reason for this unusual arrangement is to provide easy access to the parts, and ventilation and cooling of the clutch also are improved. A short shaft of large diameter connects the unit to the engine. The main gear-box has four speeds forward and one reverse, and there is also an auxiliary gear-box with three, speeds. Both gear boxes are of the constant mesh type.

Among other special feature of the tractor the steering gear may be noted. Steering is effected by means of a cam and double roller gear, and hydraulic power gives assistance to the driver, hand operation being applied at the left hand end of the front axle and power assistance at the right hand end. When the steering wheel is turned a hydraulic valve allows oil to flow under pressure to the one of two power cylinders, that assists movement in the direction required. Power assistance only comes into play after the steering wheel has been turned through a certain angle, so that on a straight course ahead or on one with slight deviations the vehicle is entirely under hand control. The independence of the two systems, ensures that a vehicle continues to be steerable even if the power system fails.

Full air pressure brakes are fitted to all wheels and there are also emergency and service line connections for operating the brakes of the trailer. A special dual valve operated by foot makes compressed air available for the trailer brakes slightly before that for the brakes of the tractor itself. If by any chance the trailer brakes do not act their failure does not affect tractor braking. The hand brake operates mechanically on all bogie wheels, and also operates air, pressure brakes throughout. A notable point is that the hand brake can not be released until air pressure is available, This means that after a long parking period the tractor cannot be driven away until there is sufficient air pressure for braking. A gear-box driven compressor provides air pressure.

Article from page 354 of the August 1950 issue of the English Meccano Magazine.

Referring back to the Berliet with Transformer, I find it curious that the modern-day "Alsthom" company now spells it's name as "ALSTOM" - without the "H". Or are they not the same company?

Kevin.

fodenway

Alstom (originaly) Als-Thom, then Alsthom in 1932, later Alsthom Atlantique in 1976, Gec-Alsthom in 1989 and Alstom since 1998.

see

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alstom

Thanks, an interesting tale of international big business and government interference, and a small reminder captured forever in miniature by Dinky Toys!

Kevin.