A lot of us who grew up in northern climates, those brave souls who have lived with snow for several months out of every year, have different names for vehicles that travel over snow. One that most of us don’t think of might be something like this 1960 Trail-A-Sled Air Sled. Yes, that’s the company that became Scorpion. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Mankato, Minnesota and the current bid is $6,200 but the reserve isn’t met. Thanks to Sisuman for sending in this tip!
What is this thing, an airplane on skis? Well, sort of. As I mentioned, there are many names for what we normally think of when we think of vehicles that are used to ride over or through the snow. They have been called anything from a snowmobile to a snow machine, a sled, and anything and everything in between. I think of a snowmobile as having a rubber track on the back, a front engine underneath a fiberglass hood, or cowl, and two skis on the front.
The Trail-A-Sled company was founded in 1959 in Crosby/Ironton, Minnesota, in a beautiful area full of incredibly hard-working people, iron mines, and beautiful lakes, rivers, and forests. It’s a perfect place to have a snowmobile, or an “Air Sled” on one of the lakes there, which is what these unusual transportation conveyances were made for. Think: traveling across frozen lakes to drop a fishing line through a small hole in the ice in the name of winter fun. We call it ice fishing, most people call it insanity.
Looking very airplane’ish and also boat-like, this Air Sled, or Snow Plane as some sources referred to it in the era, is decked out for at least four passengers to travel in comfort at relatively high speeds across smooth and frozen terrain. They could also theoretically be used in the summer if a person installed wheels in place of the skis shown here. These wingless snowplanes were priced at around $2,600 when new, or $26,000 today. You can spend that much on an ATV or maybe even that much on a new tracked snowmobile. Please check out the seller’s photos, they have dozens of great photos on this listing. And while you’re at it, they have an incredible showroom/warehouse filled with other vintage vehicles for sale. How have I never been to this dealership before?!
This isn’t some puny, leaking, smelly, coughing, dying-constantly-while-you’re-IN-THE-MIDDLE-OF-NOWHERE (not bitter) vintage snowmobile engine. This rig is powered by a Lycoming 0-290-G, which was widely used for stationary applications such as generators, but also for home-built airplanes. It would have had around 125 horsepower. The seller provided such great photos but they don’t have any description listed at all other than this is a four-passenger vehicle. Maybe with 264 other auctions running at the same time, they haven’t gotten to this one yet. Given the outstanding visual appearance, I have to believe that it works as it should. Have any of you seen one of these early Air Sleds? And for bonus points: what do you call a tracked snow vehicle?
Coolest sled I have ever seen! Love that hood ornament. Not sure what’s up with the gas can on the side, reserve tank?
These winter chariots have sure come a long way since the days of the old Model-A engine powered top heavy death traps. I heard lots of stories about the canvas-covered contraptions and how all the loose trash in town flew down the street in the wake of those props. Would still be a lot of fun. Back in the 30s most were powered by Model A engines but some enterprising individuals managed to get hold of a V8-85 which they were able to mount low in the frame and then run a series of V-belts up to the prop shaft. Lots of fun–until you had to do a panic stop…
This could come in handy around here in a couple of days.
I have to agree with leiniedude, very cool. And unlike my boat or many cars, that looks like a motor that is easy to get around all sides and work on.
A lot of builders got into these over the years. Like most of the snowmobile builders, most have gone by the wayside. It would still be interesting to see some of these out and about. I’m sure that most of you have seen this pic before. I talked to the owners and they want to get going on it over this next year. Their goal is to have a fully functioning snow plane by the end of next year. I guess we’ll see about that…
In Minnesota, Ski Doos are the most popular form of snow transportation that they even annually race every winter to give you an idea of how popular ski doos are. This tops them all and I can imagine someone turning this into a skidder by putting a propeller engine on the back of it like they do down here in the south and turn it into a one of a kind fastest snow skidder on land.
Very cool. I imagine this is airboat-loud when running, but I’m the enclosed cab it may not be as bad. Question for anyone in the know – there’s three modern Stewart Warner gauges, including water temp. The lycoming is air cooled, though? Any idea what that’s measuring, or is it a placeholder for a hole that was already there when the restored it? (I’m assuming it was restored). I’m thinking maybe there was an hour meter in that spot at one time?
Jim,
As an owner of a couple of air-cooled V8 cars [Tatra], I suspect that the water gauge is reporting what the engine oil temperature might be. The scale is too low for showing cylinder head temps.
The things that come up during an internet outage. Did ya’ miss me?( crickets) Well, too bad. Always nice to pay for that. Obviously, the authors description of early snowmobile engines, shows experience. A ride on a vintage sled where nothing broke, was a ride to remember. He forgot the static they caused on TVs then, and the not too happy watchers shaking fists. While pretty neat, tis’ nothing new, although,probably the nicest rendition of one I’ve seen. I stayed at a motel in upper Mich.( dere hey) and the hallway was lined with vintage winter scenes. Many photos showed crude sleds, basically a horse drawn sleigh with a motor and prop, no protection whatsoever,( no scarves allowed) and were mainly for straight shots across frozen lakes. This is no different and created for the same purpose. Remember, some places are literally shut in and before AWD cars, this how you got to town. I’m sure more than once, 2 of these passed each other on a snow covered ice road. Even for emergencies, I bet.
To answer Jims question, air cooled motors have a “head temp” gauge,similar to a coolant gauge and must be watched diligently. Air cooled motors don’t like it hot. This winter seems to shaping up as “one of THOSE winters” for many. I had more fun than I could possibly mention on snowmobiles. They rent them here( Colorado) for $50/hour, ( probably $100/hr now) minimum 4 hours, all sleds come with “avalanche poles”,,,umm, did a lot of riding, but never needed avalanche poles in da’ UP, dere hey. I wish I was there on a sled right now! As usual, outstanding find, and for double points, what 50s/60s car is the headlight from? I say Rambler?
Howard A comes through in the clutch again! Thank you, I guess I never thought about measuring head temp but it makes sense.
Agree on the headlight. I was thinking Peterbilt, but they still had single headlights in 1960. I looked up Packardbakers and I think you nailed it.
Howard A, myself and every other Yooper would like to know what da heck is “dere hey”? Certainly not a word (??) that is used in the UP eh.
This morning, my grandson was asking why it’s the UP. Why not North Wis. or North MI.? There’s N. & S. Dakotas. VA and West VA.
I told him that maybe the Yoopers needed a place live.
I have memories of my trips to Houghton in November.
Pasties and the POR.
So, how do you stop one of these?Seems to me that the prop
would do well to slow you down,but not be able to stop this in
a hurry.
I’m sure it would be a lot like stopping a boat. Judge your distance and apply throttle as necessary. If all that fails tie a rope onto the wife and toss her out the door…
WhAT? I’m shocked and amazed you would say that. Perhaps my crabiness is rubbing off? To be clear, Geomechs has the most understanding wife, and puts up with his shenanigans, a rare occurrence, indeed. Besides, it’s not about stopping, and I have seen crude mechanical feet type brakes you’d lower, but anything short of reverse thrust, you’re kind of screwed. In case anyone has visions of blasting across a lake at break neck speeds,,some claim 100 mph down wind with these, you’ll make some wardens day, as many lakes have speed limits now, like 30 mph, and radar too,,I know, but we have to save ourselves from ourselves somehow.
Please say hi to her for me,,,
Yes, I should make an exception there. Just a figure of speech. Actually my wife is a jewel and I’m really blessed to have her for a companion. But she also has a sense of humor; she would need that or she couldn’t put up with me. And I’ll say hi to her…
I need to check in with her to see what time
the funeral is.
Hmm. Just thinking it might have 4×8 brakes. The bottom opens up so 4 people use their feet and legs to stop it Fred Flintstone style?
Naaa!
This is a really interesting design that someone put a heck of a lot of work into building. Surprisingly, propellers don’t really provide that much thrust. A motor like this would pull less than 125 lbs if attached to a scale and it would be MUCH lower as a pusher with all the body in front of the airflow. I’m thinking around 50 lbs? It would be necessary to be very smooth for this to work and if you got stuck I can’t imagine trying free it. Since the prop pitch is fixed, there is no reverse. Brakes, non existent. While I’m sure it will be draggy on mush, I’m not HOW you would stop it on an ice lake. Or turn it for that matter with the prop pushing straight and no rudder to deflect the air. But for $6500.00 bucks I’m sure it would be entertaining when you brought it to the lake. Then there is the matter of loading it back on the trailer???
Hi Jay, the front ski turns, but practically useless at speed. I’m sure it looked good on paper,,,
The louver/ scoop like openings on the sides of the body would aid air flow to the prop when moving.
I’ve been to this dealer many times. Even sold my old Corvette through them on consignment. It’s a worthwhile stop for any gearhead if they’re in the area.
‘Cause if I had a set of wings, man I know she could fly
Bombardiers is the common name for the tracked, enclosed vehicles.
They are still in use, in my Province, by commercial ice fisherman, on Lake Winnipeg, and Lake Manitoba.
https://youtu.be/wN3moR7NoX4
I was thinking snow cats in a generic sense . . .
Awesome vehicle but I would not move back to snow country to use it!!
When I was growing up we had 2 snow planes (what we called these) one had a 65 HP Continental and the other had a 75 HP Lycoming. We lives on a big lake and they were used for fun. They had the ability to go what seemed very fast as in much faster than the suspension was able to handle. No electric starters all were hand propped. Extremely loud inside and the heat was provided by channeling the exhaust pipe through the cabin. In ND they were used extensively for fox and coyote hunting!
I saw these a few times in the 60s and 70s around the area where manufactured on Mille Lacs and a couple other big lakes. They could definitely go faster than conditions allowed. It was cool to watch but I never rode in one.
What the? The seller has some other cool cars listed, and many parts.
Our oldest boy got his Aviation degree at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and they flew 12 months a year (Within reason). He showed me their survival gear one time and I asked him “Why bother with that stuff?” “The wolves will get you before anybody finds you!” He didn’t think it was funny.
I think I saw something like this on an episode of Johnny Quest when I was a kid – just another futuristic thing I figured we’d all have by now , like jet packs…. all these years and I still dont have either
Frank there is no laughing about wolves in ND a few years ago I was driving into work early in the morning and had a Timber wolf run across the road in front of me. And a few years later we had another one killing deer within 1/4 mile of my house, my neighbor saw saw him carrying a medium sized doe one day. They are not here all the time but surely make periodic appearances!
I guess you didn’t think it was funny either.
I,ll go along with Jim FL you could attach a set of pontoons to that, an make it a summer time lake cruiser
Hello!
Appreciate the stellar article Scotty about our rare find! Feel free to check out our website to see our more than 200+ cars in stock right now! We also have a 1976 Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer in as well, another interesting rig.
Check them out here: https://www.uniqueclassiccars.com/
Thanks again for the shoutout,
Dylan Thomas
Marketing Director
Unique Classic Cars
2015 Bassett Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
dylant@uniqueclassiccars.com
They are the sellers who had the Outer Limits Vette. It is marked as SOLD.
I must assume your parents were fans of Irish literature.
Reality check here, It is offered at $59,000.00. Wah Wah Wahhhh.
Way cool … a variation of an airboat for us here in snow country!
Why some of us stay in ND, including myself I don’t fully get. Mid minus 20s tonight and supposed to get colder, winds to 35mph. Should make some nice minus 60 wind chills. Guess I will work in my thankfully heated shop
Brad that is one heck of a question and nor do I have the answer. I will be out this morning in the tractor blowing my 1/4 mile driveway yet again. Then on the roof of the house shoveling the edges for ice dam prevention then of course the decks and sidewalks. It’s to damn cold to even go hunting. If you come up with the answer please let me know!
“North Dakota Nice” is a real thing. I loved visiting Grand Forks and catching a Fighting Sioux hockey game at “The Ralph”. We will go support the team whenever they are visiting the Northeast.
Slow down on Tuesday, stop on Thursday….
These are generally known as SNOW PLANES. My grandfather and his brother each bought one in the 1940s. Basically a plywood box on skis, with a Model A 4-cyl engine hanging out back with a large propeller surrounded by a wire screen. Braking was done with a central claw on a lever. You pulled the lever and the claw dug into the snow. It did have a heated windshield though – heated wire. No plowed roads back then so they used it to get the kids 6 miles into town for school.
I was fortunate to have last ride in my grandfather’s snow plane in the late ‘70s. It was quite a memorable ride, so loud inside! Both of the snow planes are now in local museums.
Anyone else noticed the matching* 1950s VW fuel tank below the engine?
*Matching? Of course, as the engines for this and a 1960 VW were air-cooled flat 4 gasoline powerplants!
This one has a Lycoming 0290 aircraft engine, it’s the same configuration as a vw engine but way better!
“hey der” is GREAT WHITE NORTH for “Hello, there”. SCTV, etc. Or parts of the UPPA YOU ESS
Wild snowmobile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Q: What did the dyslexic Yooper say?
A: “Dere hey!”
I think there is a bit more to it than dyslexia for that guy. If you get what I’m steppin in eh…
Looks like this conversation is heading toward Oley and Lena jokes.