Page 24 - the story of motoring

Vehicles at work

The car plays a very important part in our lives but many other types of vehicles
do important work. These are the hard workers like buses, lorries, delivery vans
trucks and tankers. Some vehicles have very special jobs and are designed specially
for that purpose.
Tile tank was first used in the First World War. By the Second World War the tank
had become an essential part of any army. They were now faster and with more arma-
ments. The important tanks from the 1939-45 war were the Tiger panzer (Germany),
T.34 (Russia), Sherman (U.S.A*.I and the Comet and Churchill (Britain).
Today the most powerful tank in the world is the British - Chieftain. Its 120mm
zun can bombard a site 4 miles away and hit another tank 2 miles distant. This is
accomplished by a laser rangefinder and night vision equipment means that smoke or
darkness are no problem. The Chieftain's engine can power the tank's 54 tons up a
gadient of 1 in 2 and cover rough ground at over 30mph.
Another special military vehicle is the Stalwart. The powerful lorry is also cap-
able of 'swimming' across water. Its main function is to carry heavy loads, like
artillery shells, and can take them virtually anywhere.

Chieftain tank