|
General
Crosley shut down car production in 1942 along
with all
the other auto manufactures and started War productions. Here is a
sample of some of the products they built.
If you have any info or stories about any of these
vehicles please let me
know.
|
|
The Pup (CT3) was made in limited quantity for the Air
Force,
36 seems to be the most used number for how many were built, in the
1942-43 time frame. Testing was done at Aberdeen Proving Grounds and
possibly other places. One story that has been told, is that they were
being considered for an air drop in Europe if D-day had been from the
air instead of by Sea, the dates of manufacturing don't fit that story
to well. They were, apparently, planned for dropping into battle via
gliders. Six were reported shipped overseas.
The Pup was 4 wheel drive and was powered by the prewar
Crosley 2cyl opposed air cooled engine
One was in a military museum at Ft. Eustis, VA, a few
years
ago. Several are known to exist in private collections.
|
The Covered Wagon was a production model, offered to the
military. The open car was a lightly modified production Crosley. They
were also tested at Aberdeen. The open vehicle has been called the
Mosquito in several references.
|
|
|
One of a series of Snow Tractors that were made. This
one was
for pulling a dog sled like sled. Several of these are in private
collections, at least one in running condition.
The owner showed movies of sking behind it a few
years ago at a National meet.
|
|
|
Crosley's work on the Proximity Fuze was
Top-Secret. The
Proximity Fuze was consdered one of the three critical projects that
was pivitoal in the Allied victory. Following the A Bomb and Radar in
importance.
Crosley is credited with 28 improvments to the
design
and built nearly a quarter of all fuze produced. More Info
|
|
|
|
|
This was the Mule and
is similar to a model made by
Willys for
the War effort.
|
|
|
Generators were a major contract for Crosley. They
were made
in many different forms for all branches of the military. 2.5KW and 5KW
were the most common. They came on skids and wheel versions. Cold
weather versions had oil pan gas fired heaters. We have stories of
these being used on PT boats and Air Planes as well as the more normal
ground uses.
They used the Tin
Block engine
that would later power the post war Crosley.
|
 |
|
|
|
This model was called
the Tug and came in several
configurations including the machine gun model below.
|
|
|
Crosley also played with a "duck" like 7 passenger
amphibious
vehicle. It was developed for swamp use.
It has been reported that Paul Klotsch, Croley
Engineer
is driving with Powel seated in the stern. An unnamed Army Captain is
in front.
Photos were taken in Cincinnati at the Public Landing at the foot of Broadway, on the Ohio River
|
|
Amphibious tracked trailer that went with this
strange craft. |
|
Crosley's
attempt at motorcycles also has many
stories
and not many facts. The contract seems to have been been issued in the
1939 - 1940 time frame. One persistent story is that the contract was
directly or indirectly with Russia. Either 3 or 4 motorcycles were
made. One 3 wheel model and at least 2 two wheel models. A third 2
wheel model has shown up in some pictures, but it may have been a
variant of the first two.
The motorcycles were powered by the prewar Crosley
2cyl
opposed air cooled engine with prop shaft drive.
At least two have survived and are what are shown
here.
They are in a private collection.
|
|
|
|
|
