(Hammond Times Photos)
Chicagoans caught their first glimpse Friday afternoon of the famous Antarctic expedition snow cruiser which is scheduled to make a trial run on the Indiana dunes east of Miller next week.
Among those who attended the open house held at the Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing company in Pullman was Admiral Byrd who was appointed by President Roosevelt as commander-in-chief of the United States Antarctic service.
When base headquarters are established in the Antarctic, Admiral Byrd will keep in touch with this snow cruiser, built at the Pullman Standard shops, by means of a two-way radio. The cruiser will provide accomodations for a crew of five which will explore hitherto untouched areas in Antarctic region.
Photos reproduced here were taken by a Times cameraman at the open house and afford interior as well as exterior views of the snow cruiser.
An idea of the size of this snow cruiser can be gained by comparing the wheels with the girl shown adjacent to the huge tires. The cruiser is 55 feet long and 15 feet wide. The four wheels may be lowered or raised four feet by hydraulic action, thus enabling the cruiser to pass over crevasses as wide as 15 feet.
When the cruiser encounters a crevasse, the wheel is retracted, power applied on the other wheels and the cruiser is then pushed for ward.
The controls are shown upper right. The faucet-like devices in front of James Prokaska operate the hydraulic lifts.
Lower left shows Irwin Fieldhouse in the combination kitchen gallery and photographic darkroom. All apparatus for developing and printing pictures is provided in the cruiser.
Lower right are Dr. F. A. Wade, senior scientist of the Antarctic service; Dr. Thomas C. Poulter, senior scientist of the expedition, and Harold Vagtborg, director of the Armour Research foundation.
Snow Cruiser Starts for Dunes at 7 A. M. Monday
Admiral Richard Byrd's huge snow cruiser will start across Indiana Monday on its trip from Chicago to Boston where it will be placed aboard ship for use on the United States Antarctic expedition this summer.
Four state policemen will accompany the machine and all highways over which it passes will be closed. The state highway commission is cooperating with state police in giving it clear passage across the state.
The cruiser will enter Indiana on U. S. 6 about 7 a. m., and will journey east to U. S. 31 where it will turn south to Plymouth. There it will take U. S. 30 to the state line. The first overnight stop is scheduled to be made in Fort Wayne.
