The story of the lost Antarctic Snow Cruiser

With a range of over 5,000 miles, huge, 10-foot tall tires, an airplane on its roof, and the ability to sustain a crew of five plus a dog for a year straight - this is the story of the ill-fated Antarctic Snow Cruiser.
So stick around until the end of this video to find out how one of the most impressive vehicles ever made was designed, built and driven into the frozen Antarctic. It’s a story of imagination, determination and ultimately, a lesson in why fast-tracking a really important project isn’t always a good solution.
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[@tatemethvin2503]

I think it is definitely safe to say that traction was the main problem with the mighty snow cruiser, if they had made a better tread pattern or even fit the vehicle with tracks it would most likely had a much more successful and better career in the harsh conditions.

[@bobroberts2371]

The monster truck Big Foot used tires designed for polar conditions, these were basically the tires on the cruiser with slots cut across the treads like a gear.

[@McLarenMercedes]

Doubtful. Its most serious drawback was its insane weight. Has something equally heavy ever been designed for Antarctic exploration *today* ?? No. The problem was that they tried to solve all problems at once instead of going step by step to see what worked and how to proceed. Even though no vehicle had ever driven anywhere near close to the south pole they ambitiously assumed a mobile research base with a gargantuan 34 tons (heavier than the T34 and Sherman tanks used in WWII) wouldn't get bogged down or break down frequently. The crew should have been grateful this Snow Cruiser didn't work, because if it had worked somewhat I have a feeling they would have ran into problems halfway across their journey to the pole leaving them stranded and forced to try and ski back to base. It might have been another "Andrée Polar Expedition" (much too ambitious). In WWI they already discovered that the heavy tanks often broke down due to all the stress all parts of the vehicle (the transmission and tracks in particular) were subjected too. In WWII the nazis were obsessed with designing ever heavier tanks so their tank crews discovered their severe drawbacks. The first Tigers and Panthers which reached frontlines broke their transmission while being off-loaded from the transport train(!) and couldn't be sent to battle. Although this was addressed in later models those types still required a lot of care. Any longer operating ranges obviously wore out transmissions and tracks in short time. Hence the crews had to stop and do a lot of service in the field. Not ideal for a tank since they're as effective as their fully operational time and in war time is rarely, if ever, a luxury they have. Here we get to my point. If a WWII 34 ton heavy *tank* needs running repairs and a logistical chain to be kept operational in perfectly fine weather how will a 34 ton heavy Antarctic vehicle with no logistical chain, no salvage by other vehicles, no large spare parts and no back-up by radio fare in the worst imaginable snow storms? Performing repairs in way below zero temperatures isn't going to be easy to say the least. WWII tanks crews could sit out in the sun and perform repairs for half a day. This obviously isn't going to be possible for an Antarctic vehicle. What freezing cold Russian winter can do to tanks was made clear to the German armored divisions. Engines had to be kept running every other hour not to be impossible to start again and parts would get stuck. This is btw why the Soviets designed their gear with large gap. Crude, but easily fixed and doesn't get frozen stiff like material designed with high precision in mind. The Antarctic Snow Cruiser was also woefully underpowered. 300 horsepower for a 34 ton heavy vehicle? That means a power-to-weight ratio of roughly 8 horsepower per ton. I reiterate, every ton of weight has just 8 horsepower to pull it. The closest comparison is the World War One Mark VIII tank (the "Liberty tank") which also had a 300hp engine and weighed 37 tons. It had a top speed of 8km/h (5mph) and an operating range of 80 kilometers (50 miles). That was tracked btw. "it would most likely had a much more successful and better career in the harsh conditions." Not a chance. It was an engineering dead end, hence something similar was never again attempted - even with the progress of technology. I also find it puzzling you use "much more successful" rather than just "more successful" (which is reasonable and relative). It's as if you're very certain it would magically work with better traction when the main problem of its size and weight still is a no-starter you either are oblivious to or casually brush aside. Btw, the reason they decided on wheels is because they probably were aware that the weight of 34 tons would wear out the tracks in no time...

[@jamesbooty]

While having smooth tires was certainly a huge problem, it wasn't THE problem. They tried putting chains on the tires and it didn't save the expedition. The vehicle was also extremely heavy, had exceptionally poor weight distribution, was severely underpowered, had terrible ground clearance and approach and departure angles. The situation was truly hopeless, which is why it ended up basically being used as a building.

[@alexgutierrez7683]

@@bobroberts2371 no

[@jasoncentore1830]

They made some cool stuff back then, I love those huge snow trains

[@arandomhobbychannel6718]

My favorite vehicle has to be the Chrysler turbine car. They put so much time into it, only for them to get destroyed, now there's only like 3-2 in existence. And i believe 1 only is still running.

[@mikeherbst1825]

I think that it had more potential than given credit for. It was so rushed that it didn't have much of a chance.

[@raoulduke6043]

It's like if this thing was designed by the same guys that did the Thunderbirds TV series

[@ccllvn]

lmao I know what you mean. This vehicle looks like a prop from lazy town.

[@pauldiesel4582]

As soon as I saw the bald/smooth tires I wondered if that would be a problem. That was indeed a problem! What were they thinking? Especially on ice!

[@benwelch4076]

Traction, you need traction to go,as mentioned below tread or tracks. This channel is a hidden gem, I really like the snow train vids and these one off exploration vehicle vids. Keep them coming.

[@davidmarsh722]

I'm sure if they had proper time to build and test it and of course better tires, it could have been very successful

[@bobroberts2371]

It was also way to heavy.

[@erransousa1325]

This project certainly had potential. A better tread on the tires would have made a significant difference. However, as noted, the snow tread was in early development. The inability to test in similar conditions very much hurt a promising development. I have been building and developing instrumentation in oceanography for many years and have even worked in the Antarctic program. Monumental tasks with impossibly short timelines are commonplace. This dooms some projects but most are very successful due to the incredible dedication of those involved. I'm sure that this group was no different.

[@imchris5000]

less tread is the direction they went with for the next vehicles the rolligons which have insanely low ground pressure

[@adamkort1672]

I don’t know how you don’t have more subscribers, your video quality is top notch!

[@billhannegan2971]

I had the honor of meeting Dr. Thomas Poulter at Lawrence Livermore Labs in the late 70's. Impressive gentleman and engineer.

[@abpsd73]

I think tracks would have been the best choice. This thing wouldn't have been doing high speeds that would justify tires. Tracks would have created a large ground contact area for weight distribution and solve problems like crossing openings in the surface without a complicated suspension. A large wide track won't dig in and get you stuck like a tire does in the snow. A short production timeline without time for sufficient testing really didn't give the machine a chance.

[@bobroberts2371]

The monster truck Big Foot used tires designed for polar conditions, these were basically the tires on the cruiser with slots cut across the treads like a gear.

[@jefforylaumer4168]

I love this channel my thoughts the axles needed to be a bit further apart and tires would definitely made a big difference like the ones from that other video you did of the land trains that ended up on big foot

[@kevindavidson6715]

Great video! I have always wondered what happened to the snow cruiser and still have hope it will be discovered one day 🙏

[@Thepilot-yj6mw]

It mostly likely will because we found Ernest Shackleton ship at the bottom the ocean a year ago near Antarctica so it could be found with a little unmanned submarine

[@patrickbean508]

My grandfather helped layup and build the tires in Akron.

[@Backwater-wanderer]

Very cool! I hope it’s still out there somewhere!

[@lg5819]

The Antarctic Snow Cruiser has been lost for so long now, it’s now morphed into legend. Like raising the Titanic, perhaps, some rich billionaire, who’s crazy enough to believe it can be salvaged from its tomb in the depths of the ice, or below in the sea will try and retrieve it because they believe it.

[@CB-jk3ue]

Great job again, I wonder if tracks across the big tires would have made a significant difference

[@nathanielavenmarg4504]

I am a bit flabbergasted why they didn't use tank tracks. The tank technology I am assuming was around at that time, but maybe it too was in its infancy? I guess it could be possible that you weren't able to get certain materials due to war time, but wasn't this the late 30s early 40s? I wouldn't have thought that would be an issue, as America was not yet involved in WWII and certain materials were not available or difficult to come by. Very interesting vehicle.

[@ccllvn]

Awesome that you're at 15k subs now, I still remember when the first video I watched on your channel was on the Porsche Taycan at like 2k?? keep up the good videos you'll blow up!!

[@ridezosmon2306]

It's always "costs this" or "costs that" Money isn't always the answer, like before! I can't imagine this vehicle been done in this day and age because of people to scared of expending money.

[@kiwidiesel]

Great video thanks. They were Krazy to go with an unknown technology like pneumatic tyres that large when track technology then was well advanced, just look at the tank undercarriages that emerged at the same time. I would definitely love to find this machine one day while taking a piss in the snow.

[@Tclans]

It was doomed from the beginning. For comparison sake, the russians nailed it with the Kharkovchanka’s.

[@awesomeferret]

I knew it was only a matter of time until you covered this one, thanks!

[@LaDaveNCLa]

All the thought and effort that went into it just to be abandoned. What a shame. Elon musk should go find it

[@cynthiaarnett2996]

I would like to know who shot the footage (film) of the Snow Cruiser driving (and stopping) in Westfield NY...1939..... How can that be found out?? Thank you

[@Aqollo]

Growing up and living most of my life at 70N (Norway), I can see a great number of issues with this. They should've at least employed Canadian or Alaskan engineers/advisors, or perhaps assembled and tested it further north. Even a more reliable backtrack towing a large camper, would be better suited than this. Except for the lack of airplane ofc.

[@robertphillips6296]

Thank you for posting.

[@JacobAAllen]

It was a good idea to have a mobile resreach base. That could survive blizzards and extreme cold. It just needed tires made for snow and ice.

[@colchronic]

"It was project i69" *NICE*

[@klararakelgretarsdottir9221]

He deserves better your the best

[@beekeeper7535]

It's crazy that they just let this thing in the arctic. I wonder where it is now probably on the ocean floor I guess. Wouldn't it be great to have enough money to see a video such as this and get an expedition to find lost things like this piece of crap snow cruiser.

[@lewiskemp5893]

Omg. Im reading a old Dirk Pitt book by Clive Cussler where Dirk drives this vehicle to save the world. Atlantis Found is name of book. Clive described it perfectly. I highly recommend the book. I enjoyed your video. I learned a lot

[@paulalvaro6313]

Just needed proper show tyres

[@jr2904]

I don't have social media so I can't really help, but you deserve way more attention. You've become one of my favorite auto channels, turning on the bell

[@motorheadscom]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@herzogsbuick]

2:32 The model's tires have tread. I don't for a second buy that Goodyear or the designers of the Cruiser thought those smooth tires were a good idea.

[@AlanRid]

Do a video on the Caspian Sea Monster pls.

[@Gilsao_1964]

It is a very nice video. Is just as you said before, the tire technology of the time was not enough for the endeavor. But it was a very interesting project and a feat of engineering.

[@hisheroship]

I appreciate that you read every comment. I hope that no one says anything negative. I appreciate your video. Well done.

[@killingtime669]

Richard bird discovered middle earth. 😆

[@danilo3552]

i actualy love this kind of design its intresting, but im sad its gone tbh, would be an awsome museum piece for instance :D Also nice video :)

[@NoClue1678]

I reckon even if they find it all in one piece buried under ice somewhere years of sitting under ice won't have done it any good and it won't drive anymore

[@jackbailey7037]

"This being America, it was driven, not shipped". How would you 'ship' something that size?

[@Miniaturehorseexpress]

Adml Byrd had a great sense of humor 🥰 Love the plane with the words "Fok-Her" on the wings 👍

[@richardestenson7799]

Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919. During its most successful period in the 1920s and 1930s, it dominated the civil aviation market. Fokker went into bankruptcy in 1996, and its operations were sold to competitors.

[@jclay6680]

I jusy cannot understand why Goodyear thought bald tires were ok in the snow .

[@rodneydolman1]

Low mileage one owner classic Would be a find to tell the grand kids If only they spent a winter in Alaska or somewhere similar to work out the bugs ect. Pity

[@1984shadow]

3 POINT TRACKS ( LIKE AN INVERTED V ) WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER CHOICE.

[@sniglib1]

True fact they ate that dog and a team of sled dogs also took horses and ate them all too.

[@Beandiptheredneck]

37 tons. Wonder why it didn't go well in snow with smooth tires 😂🤦‍♂️

[@vorfour]

MUSTARD MADE VIDEO ON THIS

[@Bazzemboi]

Honestly, its sad such this thing is gone but it was bound to happen, it wasn't very practical.

[@obeymelissa584]

better engineering and testing would would of made it a great item

[@MrRichard57000]

You can t drive with 4 race track slick tires in the snow.....

[@Nderak]

didnt calum do this exact same vid last year

[@floriotj]

Doomed from the beginning.

[@willctheroysolved6408]

Unless they put tracks in it. The traction even with tread tires would had increased the chances of it freezing in place Wich is why the bald tires were the better choice on a fluke decision... We knew then and had the tech. That a track give optional mobility and and directional traction by in creased positive friction area....... For Pete sakes I can't believe someone did not look at the half track and that four wheeled pig and say fellas ,,,,,,,, we may just have fired ourselves,,, We might. Not had known to the tune of lab tests ..... I have no doubt the human race was smarter than that back then.... Cause it really makes me wonder just how the hell are we a surviving species..... I can here the slow talking farmer overalls and hooking his finger in the jug bout to lift the ol elbow there .... Boy they a just idiots ya gonna need cat tracks , I'ma drunk an that shit just ain't gonna work........... Oh that's. Ssssmmmmmmoooth...... Good liquor right there Mr mayor..... Boy howdy....... I just dont know when to stop....... Do I .....don't get me wrong it is a neat machine but good grief people

[@kevinragsdale6256]

smoking cigarettes' in a big ass gas tank...... nice