Sno-Cat Model 743 Tracked Vehicle

Made:
1955 in United States and Oregon
maker:
Tucker Sno-Cat Corporation
Tucker Sno-cat, type 743, 1955 Tucker Sno-cat, type 743, 1955

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Tucker Sno-cat, type 743, 1955
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tucker Sno-cat, type 743, 1955
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tucker Sno-cat ®, type 743, by Tucker Sno-Cat ® Corporation, Oregon, United States, America, 1955.

This Sno-cat was one of four to be used in the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctica Expedition from 1955-8. The Sno-cat had been developed to negotiate very soft snow to maintain telephone lines in North America, so needed a few alterations to survive Antarctica where there were highs of -40°F and powerful snow drifts. This included a special anti-freeze engine lubricant, sealing every hole or crevice and lagging the cabin with inch-thick cellular plastics. The expedition itself involved scientists from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It was the first motorised crossing of the continent and it aimed to carry out a complete physical and scientific survey along the route of the crossing including recordings of the Earth’s magnetic field and meteorological and glaciological studies.

Details

Category:
Road Transport
Object Number:
1981-1273
Materials:
metal (unknown), copper (alloy), wood (unidentified), plastic (unidentified), foam, rubber (unidentified), glass, synthetic textile and paint
Measurements:
overall: 2600 mm x 6300 mm x 2300 mm, 1360kg
type:
ground vehicle and tracked vehicle
credit:
Bromfield, R.