American engines could help bring the Crowland Buffalo back to life
An amphibious vehicle will be roaring back to life thanks to the discovery of two engines in America.
Farmer Daniel Abbott and the team of volunteers are hoping the Buffalo LVT - which had laid buried for more than 70 years - could be running again next year ready for a 1940s show.
The Buffalo had been sent to Crowland to help combat devastating floods of 1947 and had sunk 28-feet below the surface. It has gained national attention since it was unearthed in April.
Initially the idea was to bring the American-made vehicle to the surface but the plan has since evolved - and now two engines are heading over to the UK.
Mr Abbott said: “The aim now is to get it moving - it wasn’t the plan but it is now.
“We have acquired two engines.
“One was built for the LVT 4 in 1944 and has never been put in a Buffalo and has been in storage for 74 years. The other is from a Sherman tank.
“It is an amazing journey to be on.”
Despite sitting in the ground for decades, much of the vehicle - which was also built in 1944 - is in fantastic condition.
Historian Dan Snow visits the Buffalo
Its gear box is currently with the engineering firm David Brown in Huddersfield to be renovated.
Mr Abbott said: “I went there on Friday and you think the bearings are brand new and had not been sitting underground for 74 years.”
Plans are now in the pipeline for a 1940s themed show to be held at Crowland’s Snowden Field in June next year.
Mr Abbott and friends are also continuing to work on bid to create a museum to house this amazing vehicle.
Go to https://uk.gofundme.com/f/crowland-buffalo-restoration-museum for more information.
