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silent when the vehicle failed to move through the snow and ice. The large, smooth, treadless tires were originally designed for a large swamp vehicle; they spun freely and provided very little forward movement, sinking as much as 3 feet (0.91 m) into the snow. The crew attached the two spare tires to the front wheels of the vehicle and installed chains on the rear wheels, but were unable to overcome the lack of traction. The crew later found that the tires produced more traction when driven backwards. The longest trek was 92 miles (148 km) – driven completely in reverse. On
January 24, 1940, Poulter returned to the United States, leaving
136:
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361:, launched in 1934. From his time in the Antarctic, Poulter had devised several innovative features. The massive Snow Cruiser generally failed to operate as hoped under the difficult conditions (the tires, notably smooth to avoid becoming snow encrusted, did not grip the ice) and was eventually abandoned in Antarctica. Rediscovered under a deep layer of snow in 1958, it later disappeared again due to shifting ice conditions. Its whereabouts have been unknown since then.
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Long front and rear overhangs on the body were to assist with crossing crevasses up to 15 feet (4.6 m) wide. The front wheels were to be retracted so the front could be pushed across the crevasse. The front wheels were then to be extended (and the rear wheels retracted) to pull the vehicle the
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The foundation would finance the
Antarctic Snow cruiser with an estimate of $ 150,000 and oversee the construction, and lend the vehicle to the United States Antarctic Service. Work began on August 8, 1939, and lasted for 11 weeks. On October 24, 1939, the vehicle was fired up for the first time at
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in early
January 1940 and experienced many problems. It was necessary to construct a ramp from timber to unload the vehicle. As the vehicle was unloaded from the ship, one of the wheels broke through the ramp. The crew cheered when Poulter powered the vehicle free from the ramp but the cheers fell
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using a bulldozer. It was covered by 23 feet (7.0 m) of snow and a long bamboo pole marked its position. They were able to excavate to the bottom of the wheels and accurately measure the amount of snowfall since it was abandoned. Inside, the vehicle was exactly as the crew had left it, with
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in charge of a partial crew, which included
Theodore Argyres Petras, the pilot of the Snow Cruiser's plane, US Navy sergeant Felix L. Ferranto, the radio operator, and C. W. Griffith, the diesel mechanic of the vehicle. The crew conducted seismologic experiments,
535:
The diesel-electric drive train allowed for smaller engines and more space for the crew, due to the elimination of large mechanical drive components throughout the vehicle. This is possibly the first application of a
386:
the
Pullman Company just south of Chicago and began the 1,640 km (1,020 mi) journey to the Boston Army Wharf. During the trip, a damaged steering system caused the vehicle to drive off a small bridge on the
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The cruiser was able to carry a biplane, which could land and take off on ice. The interior of the cruiser was laid out as a mobile habitat able to support a team of explorers for an extended trip.
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The
Antarctic Snow Cruiser and its crew (from left: C. W. Griffith, diesel mechanic; Dr. Franklin Alton Wade, commander; sergeant Felix L. Ferranto, radio operator; Theodore Argyres Petras, pilot)
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There's a
Massive Antarctic Exploration Vehicle Lost Somewhere at the Bottom of the World. Last seen in 1958, it was designed to travel 5000 miles and self-sustain for an entire year.
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Engine coolant circulated through the entire cabin for heating. The heating system was very efficient and the crew reported that they needed only light blankets when sleeping.
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Wheels and tires retracted into housings where they were heated by engine exhaust gases. This was to prevent low-temperature cracking of the natural rubber compound.
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Later expeditions reported no trace of the vehicle. Although there was some unsubstantiated speculation that the (traction-less) Snow
Cruiser was taken by the
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broke off and drifted away; the break occurred right through Little
America. It is not known on which side of the ice shelf the Snow Cruiser was located.
485:
or buried deep under snow and ice. Antarctic ice is in constant motion and the ice shelf is constantly moving out to sea. In 1963, a large chunk of the
1133:
926:
1001:
Scambos, Ted; Novak (2005). "On the
Current Location of the Byrd "Snow Cruiser" and Other Artifacts from Little America I, II, III and Framheim".
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sampling while living in the snow- and timber-covered Snow Cruiser. Funding for the project was canceled as the focus in the United States became
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in late 1946, an expedition team found the vehicle and discovered it needed only air in the tires and some servicing to make it operational.
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Radio operator Sergeant Felix Ferranto, using a torch to thaw the wheel motors of the Antarctic Snow Cruiser (August 23, 1940)
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120 in (3,000 mm) outer diameter x 66 in (1,700 mm) inner diameter x 33.5 in (850 mm) width
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Excess electrical power could be stored in batteries for running lights and equipment when the engine was not running.
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354:(1939–41). The Snow Cruiser was also known as "The Penguin," "Penguin 1" or "Turtle" in some published material.
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150 horsepower (110 kW) @ 1800 rpm – 300 horsepower (220 kW) total combined power for 2 engines
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biplane). A winch would pull the aircraft into place. The plane was to be used to conduct aerial surveys.
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control cabin, machine shop, combination kitchen/darkroom, fuel storage, food storage, two spare tires
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Marvin, Ronald I. Jr.; Society, Wyandot County Archaeological and Historical (August 24, 2015).
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75 horsepower (56 kW) – 300 horsepower (220 kW) total combined power for 4 motors
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in a four-wheeled vehicle of this size; this design is now common in large modern
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A pad on top of the vehicle was designed to hold a small aircraft (a 5-passenger
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rest of the way across. This process required a complicated, 20-step procedure.
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1,000 US gallons (3,800 litres) stored on the roof, to be used by the plane
990:. National Science Foundation, Division of Polar Programs. 1985. p. 6.
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in Ohio, where it remained for three days. When the cruiser entered
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In 1958, an international expedition uncovered the snow cruiser at
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The Antarctic Snow Cruiser emerging from its winter berth in 1940
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LIFE Magazine (1939 October 30) article and cross-section
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papers, magazines, and cigarettes scattered all around.
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2,500 US gallons (9,500 litres) stored under the floor
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Vehicle intended to facilitate transport in Antarctica
690:(2 diesel engines, 2 generators, 4 electric motors)
51:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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1134:"Planting The Stars And Stripes In The Antarctic"
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1087:, ALAN TAYLOR JANUARY 20, 2016, theatlantic.com
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342:was a vehicle designed under the direction of
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1073:What Happened To The Antarctic Snow Cruiser?
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1063:, ALAN TAYLOR JUNE 23, 2015, artlantic.com.
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958:"The Antarctic Snow Cruiser – The Atlantic"
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245:Longitudinal front-engine, four-wheel drive
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580:19 feet 11 inches (6.06 meters)
430:United States Antarctic Service Expedition
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352:United States Antarctic Service Expedition
314:Wheels retracted: 144 in (3.7 m)
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622:1 year under the most extreme conditions
572:55 feet 9 inches (17.0 metres)
312:Wheels extended: 192 in (4.9 m)
111:Learn how and when to remove this message
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850:A Brief History of Wyandot County, Ohio
717:6-cylinder inline; naturally aspirated
1205:Land vehicles with sleeping facilities
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987:Antarctic Journal of the United States
853:. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 81–82.
590:Wheels extended: 16 feet (4.9 meters)
588:Wheels retracted: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
357:Poulter had been second in command of
346:, intended to facilitate transport in
261:Two 11.0 L (672 cu in)
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695:Diesel Engine Manufacturer and Model
1075:video by Mustard channel on YouTube.
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927:"Pullman History Site – Image 21305"
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49:adding citations to reliable sources
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1122:Invention & Technology Magazine
902:"Antarctic Snow Cruiser by Pullman"
390:and into a stream near the town of
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1085:The Antarctic Snow Cruiser—Updated
1051:, BY PETER HOLDERITH MAY 12, 2020.
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771:Electric Drive Motor Power Rating
761:Electric Drive Motor Manufacturer
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359:Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition
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381:showed the plans to officials in
900:Kelly, Kate (January 11, 2022).
783:Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
725:672 cubic inches (11.01 litres)
654:$ 300,000 ($ 6.6 million today)
598:75,000 lb (34,000 kg)
25:
805:United States Antarctic Program
376:The Research Foundation of the
374:On April 29, 1939, Poulter and
324:75,000 lb (34,000 kg)
36:needs additional citations for
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730:Diesel Engine Bore and Stroke
378:Armour Institute of Technology
283:112 kW (152 PS) each
164:The Penguin, Penguin 1, Turtle
155:Armour Institute of Technology
1:
1103:of the Antarctic Snow Cruiser
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1165:Land transport in Antarctica
874:"The Eagle & the Turtle"
714:Diesel Engine Configuration
606:5,000 miles (8,000 km)
420:The Snow Cruiser arrived at
7:
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722:Diesel Engine Displacement
706:Diesel Engine Power Rating
614:30 mph (48 km/h)
184:; 85 years ago
10:
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1175:Specialized polar vehicles
1160:Arctic exploration vessels
1145:The Antarctic Snow Cruiser
1107:The Antarctic Snow Cruiser
1061:The Antarctic Snow Cruiser
538:diesel-electric powertrain
454:Rediscovery and final fate
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635:Additional Fuel Capacity
508:Major features included:
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296:669 in (17.0 m)
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275:Four 56kW electric motors
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408:Arrival in the Antarctic
304:239 in (6.1 m)
60:"Antarctic Snow Cruiser"
1170:Transport in Antarctica
879:March 14, 2009, at the
435:Dr. Franklin Alton Wade
370:Design and construction
931:www.pullman-museum.org
688:Diesel-Electric Hybrid
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340:Antarctic Snow Cruiser
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129:Antarctic Snow Cruiser
1200:History of Antarctica
1185:Experimental vehicles
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1112:Snow cruiser history
751:Electric Generators
524:Model 17 Staggerwing
45:improve this article
1210:Individual vehicles
1128:The Antarctic Edsel
1017:2005PolGe..29..237S
962:www.theatlantic.com
906:America Comes Alive
825:YS-1 Army Sno-Train
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659:Cabin Compartments
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271:Electric motor
1117:Reprint of article
779:Tire Manufacturer
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467:Little America III
460:Operation Highjump
442:measurements, and
428:, Antarctica with
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265:H-6 diesel engines
1025:10.1080/789610142
890:. February, 1980.
860:978-1-62585-535-0
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501:Cutaway diagram
401:USCGC North Star
383:Washington, D.C.
320:Curb weight
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161:Also called
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483:Southern Ocean
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62: –
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56:Find sources:
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40:
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34:This article
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28:
23:
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1215:Lost objects
1137:
1130:by Bob Hanes
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965:. Retrieved
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936:February 17,
934:. Retrieved
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911:February 17,
909:. Retrieved
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679:Description
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564:Description
554:
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475:Soviet Union
472:
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448:World War II
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151:Manufacturer
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98:
88:
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43:Please help
38:verification
35:
18:
1195:Snowmobiles
967:January 14,
701:H-6 engine
477:during the
350:during the
1154:Categories
831:References
815:Snow coach
676:Attribute
670:Powertrain
643:Crew Size
561:Attribute
521:Beechcraft
440:cosmic-ray
348:Antarctica
288:Dimensions
251:Powertrain
169:Production
101:April 2014
71:newspapers
1033:128811407
646:5 people
172:1937–1939
888:magazine
877:Archived
799:See also
479:Cold War
444:ice core
213:Designer
206:Illinois
197:Assembly
146:Overview
1013:Bibcode
810:Snowcat
741:⁄
699:Cummins
585:Height
569:Length
458:During
424:in the
365:History
263:Cummins
234:Class 9
202:Chicago
187: (
85:scholar
1031:
857:
603:Range
577:Width
396:Boston
309:Height
293:Length
257:Engine
240:Layout
87:
80:
73:
66:
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1136:from
1119:from
1029:S2CID
886:Wings
392:Gomer
301:Width
230:Class
92:JSTOR
78:books
969:2022
938:2022
913:2022
855:ISBN
338:The
189:1939
182:1939
64:news
1021:doi
47:by
1156::
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99:(
89:·
82:·
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