ASC Hounslow Motor Driving School

[Skipman]

IWM Hounslow Motor Driving School in 3 parts (15.52) (11.17) & (16.46)

Object description

Training film in the maintenance and driving of the Dennis 3-ton lorry, set at the Army Service Corps Motor Transport Driving School at Hounslow, Middlesex, 1918.
Full description

(Reel 1) The film has a comic acted character, the "awkward soldier". He and his fellows arrive at the school and are instructed in the lorry's engine and gearbox, which are shown running opened up with labels attached. They are taught the principles of driving on the open road and making a three-point turn. They clean and maintain their lorries. (Reel 2) They are taught reversing techniques on the road and at the school. A lorry convoy is taken out to demonstrate the importance of correct spacing when driving, (Reel 3) turning corners, hill starts and parking. The men picnic in a field while parked. The importance of not driving too fast is shown by staged sequences of a horse and cart and then some children crossing the road, and a car skidding on an oil patch, in front of the lorries. In each case the lorries stop safely. The "awkward soldier" demonstrates the starting handle, and he and the instructor strip an engine on a test-bench to show a cracked piston ring. Finally an open air concert at which the "awkward soldier" gives a display of tap dancing.

Physical description

35mm


Mike

[centurion]

The father of a university friend once described what happened when he went. He was shown the most difficult bit - changing gear - no synch then and he and others then spent some hours driving round and round a sort of huge exercise ground with all sorts of grinds, clashes and stalls until the Sergeant was satisfied and then they were sent out on the road as qualified army lorry drivers. Mind you it appears that this was in April 1918 so there may have been a bit of pressure on.

[Guest]

" all sorts of grinds, clashes and stalls " I can imagine. An old pal, sadly no longer with us drove various vehicles in ww2. He mentioned it being quite a skill to change gear without synchromesh, and that you had to really listen to the engine.

Mike

[centurion]

" all sorts of grinds, clashes and stalls " I can imagine. An old pal, sadly no longer with us drove various vehicles in ww2. He mentioned it being quite a skill to change gear without synchromesh, and that you had to really listen to the engine.

Mike

Especially if you were a flash driver who heeled and toed rather than double declutched

[Guest]

Especially if you were a flash driver who heeled and toed rather than double declutched

He mentioned double clutching too, and I thought he meant he'd pulled two birds?

Mike

[jay dubaya]

The OC at Hounslow was believed to be 88