Reconnaissance Car Model 1918.
The reconnaissance body model 1918 can be seen here mounted atop the White TEB-O truck chassis. Four bench seats gave room for eleven passengers and the driver. The body was built up from four sections: the front compartment division of windshield, right front door, and left side of the driver's compartment; the front division of the two front bench seats, the center compartment doors, the fuel tank, and the three compartments in the body; the rear division of the two rear seats and the transverse compartment mounted between them; and the top, which was bolted to its posts. The safety can was a spare fuel can. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The top of the body was covered by heavy military duck, and curtains could be unrolled from the top to fasten around the perimeter of the body. Note the two clear celluloid windows in the driver's curtain. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The right-side front curtain also had celluloid windows. (Picture taken 6 September 1918 by the Ordnance Department; available from the National Archives.)
The fuel tank was found under the driver's seat, and a stowage compartment flanked it to each side. The right-side compartment had an outside door, while the left-side compartment was accessed via a door under the seat cushion. The compartment under the rear front seat extended across the entire body and had a door on each end. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
Details of the main rear compartment can be seen here. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The front seat cushion is lifted upwards, allowing access to the left-hand stowage compartment beside the fuel tank. The doors to the right-side underseat compartments are open as well. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
A large stowage compartment separated the rear benches. The top of this compartment was made into a shelf with notches that enabled it to carry six rifles. The leather strap hung between the rear posts provided the rear passengers with a hand-hold. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The rear-facing rear seat is visible from this angle. (Picture from Handbook of Ordnance Data.)
Another stowage compartment was accessed under the rear seat via a top-hinged door. Rear passengers were provided with a footrest thanks to an extension of the reconnaissance car body. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
An interesting camouflage pattern has been applied to this car. The curtains are rolled up and tied, the windshield is raised, and the searchlight door is open. The Solar acetylene gas generator for the searchlight is mounted on the running board just in front of the front door. The side and tail lamps used kerosene. (Picture taken 6 September 1918 by the Ordnance Department; available from the National Archives.)
The searchlight door is open on this machine, revealing the acetylene searchlight. Two of the kerosene lamps are visible above and outboard of the engine. (Picture taken 6 September 1918 by the Ordnance Department; available from the National Archives.)
A cross-section of the Solar acetylene gas generator is sketched here. Water was fed through a two-way valve in the tube at the bottom of the water tank, from which the water dropped onto a screen at the bottom of the generator screen tube, which was buried in calcium carbide. As the calcium carbide was used up, it turned into dust particles and fell through a screen to the bottom of the generator via the vibrations imparted by the car itself.
1. Water tank. 2. Water filler cap. 3. Wick. 4. Wick tube. 5. Water valve. 6. Screen tube. 7. Carbide cage. 8. Generator clamp. 9. Rubber washer. 10. Clamp nut. 11. Washer plate. 12. Screen tube plug. 13. Washer plate retainer nut. 14. Generator lower half. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
Components of the White truck chassis are labeled in this image. The frame was made of pressed channel section steel with five cross-members. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The unpowered front axle was a single-piece I-beam section drop forging with forked outer ends that carried the Elliot type steering knuckles. The front springs were 10-leaf semi-elliptical leaf springs, 2" (5cm) wide and 40.625" (103.19cm) long from the centers of the front and rear spring eyes. Note the headlights were not a usual feature on the reconnaissance car model 1918.
1. Headlight. 2. Headlight tie rod. 3. Side oil lamps. 4. Radiator. 5. Reach rod. 6. Compression release lever. 7. Crankcase overflow valve extension. 8. Radiator drain cock. 9. Tie rod. 10. Front axle I-beam. 11. Bumper. 12. Towing hook and bumper bracket. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The rear axle was composed of three castings: a center one which enclosed the differential and drive bevel gears, and two sleeves to which were attached the rear springs and rear brake support arms so that they carried the weight of the car and accepted the torque when the brakes were used. The rear springs were 11-leaf semi-elliptical springs 2.250" (5.715cm) wide and 50.375" (127.95cm) long.
1. Rear spring rear shackle. 2. Tail lamp bracket. 3. Rear spring hanger rod. 4. Foot brake tension spring. 5. Brake equalizer shaft. 6. Axle sleeve, right. 7. Axle gear case. 8. Axle truss rod. 9. Rear wheel bearing grease cup. 10. Rear spring. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The rear axle is shown here with a wheel attached. 1. Rear axle sleeve, right. 2. Rear axle bearing retainer hook bolt. 3. Hand brake ring wing. 4. Hand brake ring. 5. Foot brake band. 6. Foot brake band lever. 7. Rear wheel hub, right. 8. Rear wheel brake drum. 9. Rear wheel with felloe. 10. Rear wheel hub cap. 11. Rear wheel hub bolt. 12. Rear axle outer bearing retainer plate. 13. Rear axle outer bearing felt washer. 14. Rear axle outer bearing retainer. 15. Rear axle sleeve outer bearing. 16. Rear axle hub bearing lock washer. 17. Rear axle hub bearing lock nut, right. 18. Rear axle spindle. 19. Foot brake band adjusting wing nut. 20. Hand brake shaft grease cup. 21. Rear axle sleeve outer bearing grease cup. 22. Torsion rod ball bracket. 23. Rear axle truss rod end, right. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The driver's controls are shown here. 1. Carburetor control lever. 2. Spark control lever. 3. Steering wheel. 4. Steering stem. 5. Ammeter. 6. Dash lamp. 7. Accelerator. 8. Magneto switch. 9. Oil sight feed--to center bearing. 10. Carburetor index plate. 11. Starting motor switch. 12. Change gear lever. 13. Clutch pedal. 14. Hand brake lever. 15. Foot brake. 16. Speedometer. 17. Switch lighting panel. 18. Circuit breaker. 19. Oil sight feed--to rear bearing. 20. Oil sight feed--to front bearing. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
More controls and levers are labeled in this image, including the tire pump on the transmission case. 1. Ammeter. 2. Automatic circuit breaker. 3. Switch panel. 4. Carburetor index plate. 5 Oil sight feed. 6. Speedometer. 7. Switch control box. 8. Accelerator. 9. Foot brake lever. 10. Clutch pedal. 11. Hand brake lever. 12. Transmission gear change lever. 13. Starting motor switch. 14. Air line oil trap. 15. Air pump engaging rod. 16. Air line oil trap drain cock. 17. Air line--pump to air trap. 18. Hose connection. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The shift pattern would not be intuitive to a modern driver. To reach reverse, the lever was pushed forward through low gear until reverse was engaged. In fourth speed, the car would achieve 45mph (72kph) at 1500rpm. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The powertrain is diagrammed in this sketch. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The left side of the water-cooled engine is shown here. It had four block-cast, L-head cylinders with integral heads. The block was horizontally split into two halves and mounted on an aluminum crankcase. Bore and stroke were 4.25" (10.8cm) and 6.375" (16.20cm), respectively, for a displacement of 361.68in³ (5962.9cm³). The engine was normally started electrically, but a starting crank was also provided. 1. Cylinder cover. 2. Ignition cable conduit. 3. Cylinder block. 4. Oil sight feed. 5. Crankcase vent pipe. 6. Oil line, sight feed to rear bearing. 7. Clutch brake. 8. Alignment joint. 9. Clutch cover. 10. Crankcase. 11. Crankcase pan. 12. Crankcase pan drain valve. 13. Magneto control lever tube. 14. Drain valve spring. 15. Starting crank. 16. Timing gear case cover. 17. Cylinder drain cock. 18. Fan belt 19. Fan. 20. Oil line, sight feed to front bearing. 21. Oil line, sight feed to center bearing. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
This is the opposite side of the engine. 1 Oil sight feed. 2. Exhaust pipe flange elbow. 3. Valve port plug. 4. Cylinder side plate. 5. Carburetor intake pipe. 6. Carburetor water jacket line. 7. Water inlet pipe to cylinder. 8. Water pump. 9. Carburetor water jacket line to pump. 10. Carburetor. 11. Carburetor water jacket. 12. Oil pump. 13. Oil line, reservoir to pump. 14. Clutch cover. 15. Fan. 16. Starting crank. 17. Oil pump adjusting nuts. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The left side of the selective sliding gear transmission is illustrated in this image. 1. Transmission universal joint ring. 2. Tire pump frame. 3. Change gear lever. 4. Transmission case, upper half. 5. Universal joint toggle. 6. Drive shaft trunnion, front. 7. Transmission case bolt. 8. Drain plug. 9. Transmission case, lower half. 10. Transmission case bolt. 11. Air pump engaging rod. 12. Air pump cylinder. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
The transmission is seen here from the other side. 1. Drive shaft trunnion, front. 2. Universal joint toggle. 3. Change gear lever. 4. Tire pump frame. 5. Transmission universal joint ring. 6. Transmission universal joint ring grease retainer. 7. Transmission case, lower half. 8. Reverse shifter lever shaft. 9. Reverse shifter lever, upper half. (Picture from Handbook of the Reconnaissance Car Model 1918 Comprising 1-ton Truck Chassis White, Model TEB-O and Reconnaissance Body Model 1918.)
