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La Ciotat - the Crane

Acrylic on canvas cardboard (60x80cm)

La Ciotat- La Grue Krupp Ardlet rolling crane of 250 tonnes. For its certification the crane was tested. It exceeded the manufacturer's specifications: 250 tonnes. The 4 meter diameter tube bent like a straw. There was a man at the top of the crane and another in the cockpit. The cart moved forward, the man on top bent down and the cart passed over his head. Result: jaundice and a mast as straight as an elbow! A few days later, the workers covered the crane to hide their blunder from a visiting minister. He was surprised, and was told that it was necessary in this phase of construction... The mast was reinforced by a bolted sleeve and since then the crane has happily fulfilled its role.
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