Major
Court Treatt had had
experience of Crossley vehicles during World War I when they
were issued both as staff cars and tenders (light trucks) to all
squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps. He also used
one during his survey work for the air route and was pleased by how
they coped with rough ground.
For the expedition they used two modified 25/30 chassis. These were a development of the Royal Flying Corps tender and were sold by Crossley with a variety of car bodies or with some adaption as commerical vehicles. Fitted with a four cylinder 4,536 cc petrol engine they were rated as having a 30 cwt payload. The expedition vehicles were modified in having raised suspension, mosquito screens and a special body with a roof that could be detached and converted into a raft. This latter device was never actually used as they were abandoned not long into the journey to save weight.
For the expedition they used two modified 25/30 chassis. These were a development of the Royal Flying Corps tender and were sold by Crossley with a variety of car bodies or with some adaption as commerical vehicles. Fitted with a four cylinder 4,536 cc petrol engine they were rated as having a 30 cwt payload. The expedition vehicles were modified in having raised suspension, mosquito screens and a special body with a roof that could be detached and converted into a raft. This latter device was never actually used as they were abandoned not long into the journey to save weight.
The two Crossley 25/30 light trucks photographed when new in the factory yard in Manchester.
A demonstration of how the roof sections could be joined to make a boat.
After the expedition the vehicles
returned to England and were taken on tour and exhibited outside
cinemas where the film of the expedition was shown.
One of the two vehicles back in the Crossley factory after the expedition.