I recently re read the chapter about the Damascus to Baghdad crossing, the most interesting motoring part of the book. Unfortunately Hector was so non mechanically minded he did not even note the makes of the vehicles used in the convoy. If anyone has info it would be of interest. Meanwhile searching the Nairn Transport on the net gives some info.

Location: Auckland, NZ

Here is the article from the Austin Magazine that describes the sinking of the Tahiti.







Regards
Bryan

Location: Hertfordshire

Great news that I first heard of from Chris Garner. It is amazing what has come out the woodwork in the last year or so. Firstly Russell Curtis managing to copy the film featuring parts of Penryn Goldman's trip 'To Hell and Gone' and now this ! Almost 100 years after the events ! For those who missed out on this excellent pioneering travel book across Australia, Ian Itter of Australian short run publishers is re-releasing an improved version of it soon. I don't think it's advertised on his website yet but if you contact him through it, he'll provide more up to date details.

Location: Worthing

One can't help thinking you were waiting for Bob to contribute to vent your spleen yet again. I suspect there is more to this than this excellent forum. I concur with Ian D.

Colin, if you are going to reprimand me at least have the courage to not to be anonymous. It is no secret that I do not like Bobs continued attempts to derail, antagonize and upset members this forum, I can not abide blatant racism in any form and make no apology for picking him up for it once again, especially when it added nothing to this thread. I am however sorry that I chose this thread to do so, Steve should congratulated on getting this film released and neither Bobs bigoted racism, nor my dislike of it should detract from that. If anyone else wants to tell me what they think of me perhaps they would be kind enough to do it via private email, as I have in the past done with Bob. Sadly he is not willing to listen and takes perverse pleasure from peddling his drivel, generally stirring the pot and "winding up the Pom's", his words not mine!

Location: Auckland NZ

Small world. I had a grandfather who worked for Nairns for a time. Before they started using the big buses I thought they had American cars. I will have a dig around in the attic.

One of the Cook Strait ferries lost its propeller a year or two ago. I reminded the media of the Tahiti incident but contrary to modern trends, they did not seize the chance for a bit of sensationalism. I guess such technical matters are way beyond modern staff. A report on the incident was recently released. The basic problem seems to have been that the guys who fitted the propeller had no Seven experience.

There is much on the net about the Sydney harbour collision of the Tahiti, and about the final sinking. It is not clear if the prop actually departed (although it seems inevitable) but the flailing end of the driveshaft broken inside the hull ruptured the hull. Reports read a bit like a post mortem of a Seven crank failure.

It seems the Nairn Co used adapted Cadillacs amongst otheres. Second hand V8 Cadillac cars were imported here, the chassis extended, larger bodies and twin tyres fitted, and used as inter town buses, often all on metal roads. The vehicles gave a performance and longevity far superior to various Brit commercials tried. Speeds well over 50 mph were claimed. Perhaps the cars in the desert were governed to 44 mph to keep speed resonable on the long drives.

Location: Auckland, NZ

I think I remember talk of large coracles used for crossing what I assume was the Euphrates, before the bridge was built?

I also think American vehicles were the vehicles of choice amongst the people working out there. My grandmother, whose grasp of English was not that great was heard to comment 'I cannot breed in the Buick'.