Dennis Javelin

The name Dennis Javelin called a chassis for coaches, which is manufactured by British manufacturers Dennis Brothers since 1987. Under the company name Alexander Dennis production continues to this day.

Background

The Dennis Dorchester, designed as a heavy coach, could not prevail on the market. Between 1983 and 1988, only 67 buses were built. The Dorchester was created as a competitor to Tiger, since Leyland initially wanted to deliver with a diesel engine of Gardner this bus only with its own motor, but did not, as required by the customer. In spite of failure Dennis obviously saw market opportunities for serious coaches with a mass of about 16 tons and developed the Javelin. So far, over 2,500 buses were produced. Although the bus should actually be replaced by the R- series, are due to still incoming orders continues buses of this type, albeit in small numbers, made ​​. Even if he did not reach the production levels of its main competitors, the Volvo B10M, the Javelin is the most successful coach design by Dennis.

Construction

The Javelin is a terrible coach and having a maximum mass of 18 t. It is offered with a length of 12 m, optional versions with 8.5 m, 10 m and 11 m in length are available. The bus was powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine of the C- series Cummins is also an optional engine B-Series was available. The engine is located under the floor directly in front of the rear axle, the radiator is located in the direction of travel to the left of the engine. The engines were now replaced by the modern environmental regulations sufficient series ISC and ISB, there are benefits to 300 bhp. available. When transmissions are a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic five-speed transmission, both ZF used. In the suspension air springs are used. The chassis has two axles. The longer versions are available with three axles to relieve the rear axle from the weight of the engine and to reduce the rear overhang. The bodies come or came mainly from duple, Alexander and Plaxton. Depending on the design, they offer 49 to 57 passengers and have a luggage space of about 10 m³. Chance also multi-purpose and buses were built on the chassis.

Use

The bus was sold to a number of smaller operators in the UK. Largest domestic customers but was the Ministry of Defence, the procured in 1993 a number of Javelin with a structure of Wadham Stringer with 40 seats. Was exported to the bus to Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.