Driving the GRT, 1957–1959

Abstract

AbstractThe late 1950s were chiefly characterised by immense frustration and very difficult relations with the British designers Freeman, Fox and Partners (FFP). A crucial change forced by Bowen and initially resisted by FFP, was to call for competitive bids. Despite the pressure to select a British firm for the construction contract it was awarded to a German firm, Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg (MAN). This dramatically illustrates the extent to which an ex-British colony was now truly independent and capable of making what certainly transpired to be an excellent solution. The combination of the innovative UK FFP mechanical design, the efficient MAN German construction and the Australian radio systems engineering was a great success.