This appears to be an in-house dynamometer rig for setting / testing gearboxes during production. It shows a
Monocontrol gearbox shaft driven from an AEC engine whilst the operator makes adjustments.
It looks as though the rig plate just ahead of the gearbox is designed to take bellhouse mounted boxes, and one assumes
that the long upright lever to the operator's right is a clutch operating lever. A hand throttle can be seen at
the rear of the engine.
This must have been a very unpleasant environment. With a hot, noisy, unshielded engine to the operator's
right and a dynamometer on his left, it's surprising that he's not wearing any special protective gear. I wonder
how many boxes he did in a day and whether there were more operators like him?
In the background can be seen trolleys holding an assortment of parts, the most easily
distinguished being handbrake levers on the right.
If anyone knows who the operator is, or anything about this set-up, please let us know.
This is an official AEC photo (Neg. 28238) bought in the AEC Society's tent at Newark in 2001.
