Snowplane, c. 1940

Motor Vehicle

-

Manitoba Agricultural Museum

Name/Title

Snowplane, c. 1940

Entry/Object ID

1996.10.1

Description

ORIGIN: The snowplane was designed and built by Dmytro (Dan) Tanchak in Tolstoi, Manitoba during the winter of 1940-41. DESCRIPTION: The propeller driven snowplane consists of an air-cooled engine mounted on a metal framework behind a wood frame, canvas covered, cab painted two toned maroon and cream. On many an occasion the snowplane accommodated two adults and one juvenile, however it was essentially a two person vehicle with the occupants seated in tandem on cushions on its wood floor. The engine was originally a motorcycle engine which had been modified for use in an airplane. A Dr. Waldon in Vita, Manitoba acquired the engine for use in a snowplane, but was not successfully able to operate his snowplane and sold the engine to Dan Tanchak. The propeller was hand carved. The skis were also hand made. Their design evolved as wood and metal strips were used in an attempt to drive at an optimum design which would accommodate mid winter dry snow and springtime wet snow conditions. PERIOD OF USE: The snowplane was used between 1941 and 1961.

Collection

Equipment Inventory

Cataloged By

Adam Lennox

Category

V3 - Self-Propelled
Vehicles

Acquisition

Accession

1996.10.1

Source or Donor

Nastazia Tanchak & Family (Dan Tanchak)

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Dmytro (Dan) Tanchak