1940's OILFIELD DRILL TRUCK CABIN. THIS IS COBBLED TOGETHER AND MAKES NO PROVISION FOR ERGONOMICS. GAUGES ARE LINITED TO AN AMMERTER, FUEL METER AND THERMOMETER. THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL OCCUPIES MOST OF THE FOOTWELL AND THE FIREWALL HAS A MASSIVE GAP WHICH ALLOWS ENGINE HEAT TO ENTER THE DOORLESS CABIN. THE WINDSCREEN DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A WIPER. THE WHOLE UNIT IS LOCALLY FABRICATED OF STEEL SHEETS. Ah say long time me ent post no ole iron pics, so here is ah set. The oilfields of Trinidad were developed in the early 20th century and came into their own around WWII because of the demand for fuel by the Allied forces. This meant that many, many oil companies sprang up, some being poorly capitalized and therefore had to rely on jury-rigged technology . This ancient mobile drilling rig seen here before being dismantled for scrap, is a fine example of that inventiveness. The chassis is a LHD 1940 Mack A series which has been considerably shortened because these trucks had to work in roadless conditions where a long-wheelbase vehicle would be handicapped. The A series was used widely by Allied forces during WWII as a heavy hauler. This chassis may have been part of American war surplus left in Trinidad after hostilities ended. The body is largely locally fabricated out of sheet-steel and wire grating. The chassis had to be sturdy to take the massive winch which would be used to raise the drilling boom and also the turntable to drive the rill bit downwards. This truck has a PTO which provides power for these implements. The engine in it now is a 1950’s Gardner Diesel six built in England. The gearbox is rather odd as it is an Allison hybrid unit straight out of a WWII Sherman tank. The XC numberplate shows it was first registered for the road in 1955. It takes real muscle to drive these as they are not equipped with power assists, have almost no brakes, and cabins where driver comfort is nil. This vehicle used to belong to a small private driller in Santa Flora.

Supplies: 1.) One pair cheapo Torchiere lamps. I bought mine for $13 each at Walmart, since I couldn't find a matching set on Craigslist 2.) Wall-mountable speakers. Mine hang from a single screw. 3.) A screw 4.) A beer Tools: Drill bits, screw driver, hack saw. tape measure, bottle opener.