The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS 307
For implementing the design, which deviates strongly from
the design defined earlier, the Gaubschat Company does not currently
have the workforce.
Implementing the tipper delays the completion of the vehicles
by another six weeks.
Each vehicle loses a payload of ca. 400 kg.
The surcharge for each vehicle is RM 1000.- to 1200.-.
b) Making for floor grate tiltable
The grate (second floor) has to be constructed particularly
sturdy for a load of 4 ½ tons. Thereby the coachwork loses 150 mm of
internal height. When constructing a continuous grate, the wheel cases
have to be covered as well. This causes further loss of headroom.
Furthermore the tipper introduced through the floor will cause
difficulties with regards to sealing the introduction site. Note that the
tipper pillar does not lift evenly. It has to be able to tilt together with the
second floor.
Moreover slipping of the load is a problem. For a flowing
slide the floor has to have an inclination of 30 to 35°. The drawing illustrates
that, even if the floor is lifted at the loose end up to the box ceiling,
only an angle of 16° can be reached. In practice this tilt angle cannot
be reached, because the load would be squeezed at the upper end of
the loading surface. The highest lifting height, measured at the head
wall, is probably 1000 mm. At this height the inclination of the floor
would be merely 10°.
Moreover the loss of payload and time (for production) has to
be considered.
As in design a), the surcharge is some 1000.- to 1200.- RM.
The above design is not expedient.
c) Ex- and retractable grate (suggestion).
The coachwork obtains a lightweight floor grate, which can be
extracted on little wheels. It is to be subdivided into 10 – 12 transversal
sections. This makes it easier to handle. In addition it enables each section
to tip down on exiting the vehicle. The wheels are to be guided in
iron U-shaped rails. Furthermore the grate has to obtain a lateral iron Ushaped
guide rail. The grate sections are to be secured against canting
by means of diagonal braces.