Jungle Yachts

[Kit Walker]

This may have been covered in an older post. I found this doing some research on early 20th century European explorers of Africa.   I just thought this was an interesting, but odd, vehicle for exploring the Congo.  Someone with a talent for scratch building could make an interesting model.


http://www.paper-dragon.com/1939/images/jungleyachtadv.jpg

[Doctor Merkury]

That would be a bumpy ride

Doc

[HerbyF]

That is really great. Now I really want one.

[Hammers]

How totally implausible that you could take that elongated contraption on a cruise on dirt roads in the Congo basin. Love the thought, though.

[Mr.Dodo]

Yes, why would you not articulate such a thing? I wonder how many were sold?

[Westfalia Chris]

Yes, why would you not articulate such a thing? I wonder how many were sold?

I think they actually ARE articulated, as you can see a separate trailer unit in one of the smaller pics. Apparently, the joint is rather snug. But I join in in calling those things most pleasing aesthetically yet impractical as hell (for modern sensibilities).

[Burgundavia]

A little bit of googling led me to this image: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullimage.asp?id=33775

It doesn't show any such land-yacht, sadly.

EDIT: shouldn't have been so hasty. British Pathe have video footage of the beast: http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=11158

[owgigi]

Wow - the British Pathe archive is immense. Just spent two hours in there.

So many random clips like this helicopter party in the 1960s - http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=807 

And this scary army dressed up as toy soldiers in Woolwich - http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=3793 - walking around like they're clockwork operated. Terrifying!

[ushistoryprof]

Just needs a gun turret or two and it will be really ready for business. Lewis guns would be best I think for that true Art Deco look.

[magokiron]

life sized toy soldiers...

SCARY 

[former user]

I recall this Stan and Ollie movie with life size toy soldiers that rum amok
maybe this was the inspiration

will You guys be having a "dress as miniature" fancy dress party at Salute? 

[ushistoryprof]

I recall this Stan and Ollie movie with life size toy soldiers that rum amok



Released in 1934 as "Babes in Toyland" later renamed "March of the Wooden Soldiers."  Always a popular film at Christmas time.