Meet ‘Priscilla’ Queen of the Ice Desert

[spudfan]

From the latest edition of Australian Antarctic Division newsletter, here's their new transport.‘Priscilla’ Queen of the Ice Desert — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2017/priscilla-queen-of-the-ice-desert)
Lots of space if you were to consider it as an expedition vehicle but with different tyres of course. Then there's the weight...but there is a lot of space. Always a trade off. Anyway lots to enjoy besides Priscilla in the latest newsletter.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

nice,,

inside toilet?[bighmmm]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/10/675.jpg

[cripesamighty]

I don't think it has a toilet! Specs are on this page as a pdf download.

Brand New 36 Passenger Terra Bus | Foremost (http://foremost.ca/brand-new-passenger-terra-bus/)

[spudfan]

nice,,

inside toilet?[bighmmm]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/10/675.jpg
Maybe it is like the Defender. Remove the seat base, remove the cover on the seat box and err, well.....

[Frenchie]

This is the original Priscilla, cramped and slow, took nearly 3 hours to make it from Wilkins to Casey which is very tedious when you got up at 2am to make the flight.

The new one looks so much better, might have to go back for a ride!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/621.jpg

[Bearman]

Maybe it is like the Defender. Remove the seat base, remove the cover on the seat box and err, well.....

BOMBS AWAY!!!!

[Wraithe]

I must be a pessimist, looking at the specs of the original and seeing what was ordered for the Antarctic crew, it looks like a pen pusher has been at it again...

Irrelevent of engine manufacturer, they put a less powerful engine in yet could have had one at the same weights...

Fuel supply is probably bare minimum, 140 k round trip, if they are in a storm and stuck at 10 kmh, they wouldnt have enough fuel for one way trip...

What the engine requires plus the heating system, it dont add up...

I spose I am not there and only travelled on firm land with no ice or snow, but I would have thought that in that environment you would over engineer some things like supplies if caught out...

Oh well, looks pretty!

[Disco-tastic]

I must be a pessimist, looking at the specs of the original and seeing what was ordered for the Antarctic crew, it looks like a pen pusher has been at it again...

Irrelevent of engine manufacturer, they put a less powerful engine in yet could have had one at the same weights...

Fuel supply is probably bare minimum, 140 k round trip, if they are in a storm and stuck at 10 kmh, they wouldnt have enough fuel for one way trip...

What the engine requires plus the heating system, it dont add up...

I spose I am not there and only travelled on firm land with no ice or snow, but I would have thought that in that environment you would over engineer some things like supplies if caught out...

Oh well, looks pretty!They do state the engine selected is the sane used in the cranes they have so they already have parts and service knowledge.

[Wraithe]

Still puzzles me why suck a small fuel tank...

[Ancient Mariner]

Still puzzles me why suck a small fuel tank...

Why suck a big one[biggrin]

[Wraithe]

Why suck a big one[biggrin]

bad spelling(Give me a break, late at night thats my excuse)...

Small tank suitable for 8 hours at most with engine and heater running off supply...Sounds fine, but your not on mainland australia...

If you had any problems between the airstrip and base, then you would need to ensure you had enough fuel for a slow trip or an overnight stop...

That bus may get up to 70 kmh but it would be travelling around 35kmh at the most, possibly down to 10 - 15 a lot of the time...
Ok it may accelerate back upto speed quickly, but if a storm came in and total white out, then you may be in serious trouble...

Better to have too much than to think, I have enough and then find out its not...

Even here in Australia, I drive knowing I got more than enough supplies an if not, its only me to worry about... Out bush I could survive in most environments without too much hassle and no supplies...

But in Antarctica, forget it... Cold kills and very quickly, heat up north is easy to deal with if your wise...