whcgt # 27 Solved: 1939 Antarctic cruiser "the penguin"

Started by whcgt, April 05, 2011, 10:27:45 PM

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whcgt

April 05, 2011, 10:27:45 PM Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 08:43:10 AM by whcgt
For 1 point. Please give the year, nickname, & designer of this vehicle.

thorax

#1
April 06, 2011, 04:04:33 AM
this strange vehicle is known as "the Snow Cruiser" and nicknamed "Big Bertha", built in 1940 and designed by Thomas C. Poulter
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whcgt

#2
April 06, 2011, 05:51:12 AM
No.

thorax

#3
April 06, 2011, 06:00:45 AM
 ??? sure not? I've lot of photos of this vehicle!
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whcgt

#4
April 06, 2011, 06:12:47 AM
I have a different year, nickname, & would like more info on the designer(due to the historical significance).

thorax

#5
April 06, 2011, 06:34:55 AM
Dr. Thomas C. Poulter served as second in command of Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Expedition II (1933-35). During this expedition, Byrd nearly lost his life when he was isolated by the weather at a forward base. While the Admiral was only 123 miles away, inhospitable conditions foiled several rescue attempts until one finally succeeded. Following this incident, Dr. Poulter began to envision a vehicle that was specially adapted to the Antarctic environment -- a "Snow Cruiser".

After returning from Antarctica, Dr. Poulter took the position of scientific director of the Research Foundation of the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois. He convinced the Research Foundation to embark on design work for his Snow Cruiser. Under his direction, the staff of the Research Foundation worked on the design for approximately two years (1937-39).

Learning that the government was planning another Antarctic expedition to be headed by Admiral Byrd, Pouter presented the completed plans for the Snow Cruiser to expedition officials. Getting a favorable response and $150,000 in upfront financing, construction work commenced on the Cruiser at the Pullman Company in Chicago in August 1939. The vehicle was completed in October.

more later....
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whcgt

#6
April 06, 2011, 06:39:30 AM Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 08:42:50 AM by whcgt
Yes, point for thorax. 1939 Antarctic cruiser "the penguin".

Carnut

#7
April 06, 2011, 08:00:42 AM
What a fantastic piece of equipment.
Just the thing for the supermarket car-park!
By the way whcgt - please correct the spelling of 'Antarctic' - thanks.
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars

DeAutogids

#8
April 06, 2011, 08:20:14 AM
I thought it was like an aircraft tower :) Indeed, an incredible machine

grobmotorix

#9
February 02, 2016, 01:52:04 PM
Some unknown photos unearthed:

thorax

#10
February 02, 2016, 05:33:55 PM
wow!
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