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Frandee Thiokol History - Eskelson Files

GMoose

GMoose

Well-known member
GOLD Patron
During the restoration of my Frandee Model D I was able to make contact with the children of Ross Eskelson, the engineer behind the Frandee and the Thiokol, as well as inventions of his own. The children, Doreen, Scott, and Lynn are still with us, unfortunately Mark passed away a few years ago. Doreen, Scott, and Lynn have provided me with their mothers scrap book, as well as photos, stories, and articles of Ross' snowcat life. For anyone that does not know, Ross Eskelson is the man who did his master thesis on the early snowcats in 1955 (A Comparison of Over Snow Vehicles Produced at Utah State Agricultural College). My plan is to post the information and photos they provided me in this thread for all to see and use. Some of these photos are the ones used for the thesis paper, other are photos that have never been posted or seen before. Hopefully others, especially Scott Eskelson, one of Ross' sons who is a forum member, will add useful commentary and any additional information they may have. This will take some time so be patient.

Ross Eskelson (Professional Engineer at Thiokol, previously at the Utah State Agricultural College {the Frandee}):

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The Eskelson children - 1962 (I believe this snowcat still exists, I believe a forum member owns it):
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Mrs. Eskelson (next to an early Frandee), who I was told built tracks in the garage for the snowcats. Quite the woman, anyone who has built tracks before knows just how difficult that can be.

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Here is the very first Frandee, Frandee No. 1. I believe this has been restored, has some engine cowling and nicer seats now, and lives in Colorado.

Anyone who has looked through the Eskelson thesis has seen this photo before (Roy France and Emmett Devine on board - The name Frandee came from the combination of their two last names). This machine was built in the winter of 1946-47 - the Frandee was born. If you own a Thiokol, LMC, or DMC it is because of these two men as well as Ross Eskelson, the Frandee/Thiokol engineer:

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However, no one has probably seen these two photos of the same machine. I do not know what the one in the back of the truck is, it is not an early Frandee based on the front window configuration:

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GMoose said:
Here is the Frandee Sno Shu number 2.

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I am guessing that during trials of this model No. 2 is when the steering ski was invented. This is based on the fact that the model No. 1 had no steering ski and then several photos of the model No. 2 do not have the ski, then several do have the ski. And the ski is steered from out at the end, no steering wheel in the cab like the later models have.
 
GMoose said:
I am guessing that during trials of this model No. 2 is when the steering ski was invented. This is based on the fact that the model No. 1 had no steering ski and then several photos of the model No. 2 do not have the ski, then several do have the ski. And the ski is steered from out at the end, no steering wheel in the cab like the later models have.
Click to expand...
Well I was wrong here, jumped the gun. Looks like the steering ski came before the Frandee, in fact the predecessor to the Frandee, the Utah Snowmobile model 1, had a steering ski, as well as many other brands that used one or two skis to perform the steering. However, it appears during the development of the Frandee Model No. 2 is when the Frandee models started using it.

Utah Snowmobile No. 1
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On to the Frandee letter models (A, B, C, D, and E).

To the best of my knowledge the following were made.
Model B - qty 6, this model was made before or concurrently with the model A
Model A - qty 1, this was a custom made model to a customers specs, it was not successful.
Model C - qty 1, there may have been more than one model C, but at this time I only have info on one.
Model D - qty about 20, this is the model I have, there are variations in the cab layouts and drive axles on some of these units.
Model E - qty unknown
 
I believe this to be the model A, only one was made, unsuccessful model, to heavy and underpowered for its size.

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Models B, C, D, and E:

I absolutely love this photo, I believe this is either a model B or model C, most likely model B.
The back of this photo reads "The Frandee Sno-Shu at top speed in 3 ft. of fresh powder snow over approximately 2 ft. of compacted snow; total snow depth being 5 ft. The vehicle is making a speed of approximately 30 miles an hr. on level ground in this phtograph."
I like where they carry their spare tires, on the steering ski structure.
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This is a Model B.
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This is the Model C, it is identical to the Model B other than it has an 8 inch longer wheel base for more track, therefore better floatation.
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The model D, well of course my favorite, since I own a model D. This one has two rear windows, mine only has one.
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I believe this is an early model D based on the sliding side windows and the headlights mounted to the grill.
My mother in law.JPG


I believe this is a model B or C.
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Another great photo, once again (but aren't they all) I believe a model B based on light placement and only a single whipper, there was probably only one model C, and the photo of it shows two whippers.
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This is a sad photo, however if this is anywhere out there it could be brought back to life, if it hasn't already. This one has a little bit different logo, a little swooshy.
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The Frandee Saint Bernard on the right. Second photo I believe to possibly be of this machine, but could be wrong. However the Saint Bernard was the only four axle Frandee that used a four cylinder engine. This unit used some different drive mechanism and was one of several different models built and tested. These are is the only picture I have of any of them.

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Frandee Saint Bernard.jpg
 
The Frandee Sea Wolf, there were at least two of these built (two models), however there was a contract for "several" to be built (of the second model), so there may have been more than two built. They were designed for use in the Arctic, and apparently that is where they all went. Obviously this was amphibious and had a prop and rudder. Could also pull the tracks and drive with just the tires. Anyone know if any of these still exist?

The first three photos are of the model 1, the last two photos are of what I believe to be the second model built.

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The Eskelson Motor Sleds, designed and built by Ross Eskelson. If any of these exist anymore, they are probably in the Logan Utah area, where they were built and tested.

Model 4Z-2
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Model Number 1
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Model 4Z-1
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Model 4Z-2
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Model 4Z-3
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