GasPorter

The gasporter was primarily built for use on small airports to service small planes, but you can see from these photos they were marketed for other application as well. It was not built by Crosley but on a Crosley chassis.

A surprising number seem to have survived, with several now in restored condition. This is the only material I have found on the gasporter, if you have other literature or information please send it to me to add to the page.

Gorrell walk around talk with there restored gasporter

Manufactured by
Engineering Research Associates Inc
1902 West Minnehaha Avenue, St. Paul 4, Minnesota

Features

Complete, efficient, one-man operation.
Goes anywhere that a plane can land.
Has 200 gallon capacity.
Operates efficiently on any aviation fuel.
Dispensing equipment operated by power take-off from engine.
Has three way valve-for plane de-fueling - for replenishing tank-for fuel transfers.
Has convenient compartment for carrying ample lubricating oil and accessories.
Equipped with automatic shut-off nozzle.
Has electric starter and generator.
Built on the new, sturdy Crosley truck chassis.
Powered with the famous lightweight Crosley Cobra four-cylinder engine.
Economical, versatile, rugged and safe.
Protection against possible water contamination.

Link to feature and specification scan.

Specifications

Height: at steering wheel 65" at platform 45"
Width: 48"
Length (overall): 130"
Weight (empty): 1400 lbs
Tires: 4.50 X 12
Power Plant: 4-cylinder, in line, liquid cooled, 28 H.P. Crosley Cobra engine
Chassis: Crosley truck chassis
Electrical System: Standard 6-volt starter and generator
Brakes: 4 wheel for both service and parking
Speed: Variable (governor factory. set at approximately 9 M P.H.)
Equipment: 2.5 cal. per minute capacity, power-driven pump; air eliminator and meter; 10' hose; discharge line equipped with safety overflow nozzle; tank capacity 200 gallons (net) equipped with four gallon sump; tank made of 13 gallon steel, welded construction.
Body: Steel, heavily reinforced
Finish: Prime coat, ready for finish to individual color scheme and specification.

Specifications subject to revision

GASPORTER (with prime coat) - $1,875.00
OILPORTER (one compartment) - $1,975.00 - (two compartment) - $2,095.00

ACCESSORIES

Filter (10 micron, Pyrolator Type) 25 GPM - $99.50
Ticket Printer for Register (Pittsburgh MD-MS Accumulative System) - $80.00
Engine Hour Meter. 6 Volt -$32.50
Seat - $12.00
Grab Rail - $3.75
Spot Lights (Automobile Type) and 2 Tail Lights wired in Armored Cable - $42.50
Meter and Register (Brodie 2") - $245.00
Meter and Register with Air Eliminator (Brodie) - $310.00
Meter to read in Liters or Imperial Gallons - $2.50
Pump Suction Connection (including quick coupling, hose drop pipe) - $44.50
Portable Air Compressor Tank with filler valve, hose and gauge - $35.00
Spare Wheel, Tire and Tube - Current Price
4" Safety Cap (3/4" vacuum vent, 2" fusible section) - $7.50
Internal Shut-off Valve (Morrison No. 203 or similar) - $15.50
Shut-off Valve Controls to operate from seat - $35.00
Solenoid Valve - $30.00
Fire Extinguisher (1 qt'. carbon tetrachloride) - $14.00
Extra Hose (10 ft. lengths) - $13.50

Prices subject to change without notice. Dealer discounts may be obtained from Kerrivin Hagerty, Engineering Research Associates, Inc., 1902 West Minnehaha Avenue, St. Paul 4, Minnesota.

Link to price list scan.

Grand Canyon Airlines

Louis Hudgin wrote:

My family has been in the aviation business since 1928 and when I was a kid we had two Crosley gasporters. One we used at our business in Tucson and the other one at the Grand Canyon. I learned to drive the one at the Canyon among other vehicles, when I was 9.

I thought you might like to see some porters at work

.....Louis

Note the area that is circled then click on the image you can make out the gasporter by the small out building.

Alaska Connection

Our Alaska member, Bob Picard, sent this photo and story of his gasporter, still in use. Here is a picture of his 1948 Crosley gasporter refueling his 1948 Stinson Flying Station Wagon.

"I acquired the gasporter several years ago to be able to refuel my 1948 Stinson and my 1943 WWII Army spotter airplane. It was previously used for many years to refuel airplanes at the Lake Hood Seaplane base in Anchorage. As you may know, the gasporter was designed for refueling small aircraft with the driver/refueler standing up to drive. It is claimed to have a 200 gallon tank but I can only get about 190 gallons in it if I allow for expansion space. It was designed with a reinforced walkway atop the engine so that some high wing airplanes can be refueled without the need of a ladder. The fuel pump is powered by a PTO driven by a belt run from a double crankshaft pulley."

gasporter in the Movies

Our member Freddie Murrer spotted a gasporter while watching the 1963 movie It's A Mad Mad Mad World. He grabbed a picture that shows how far in the movie to look if you want to see it in the movie. I circled the gasporter.

Good eye Freddie.

Warning: Some of these photos were from gasporter factory literature that were hand retouched before they were originally printed and I have computer enhanced some of the photos to make them cleaner. DO NOT USE them as an aide in a restoration as being proof of what something looks like.