July 1999: The Leyland Badger Restoration Group has announced plans to take Tom Kruse's Leyland Badger truck, which he used on the Birdsville mail run, and is now restored, back to Birdsville for a last run.
Tom Kruse is an outback legend, for example assisting Cecil Madigan's expedition to the Dead Heart i.e. the Simpson Desert. He ran the Royal Mail between Marree and Birdsville from 1942 to 1963. In 1954 a film, Back of Beyond, was made about his exploits. The Leyland Badger was built in 1936 and was used from 1947 until it finally broke for good in 1957. It has a 5.7 litre engine and Thornycroft axles; it was not very "original" by the end of its working life. The Leyland is a 4x2 but four wheel drive Ford Blitz trucks were also used on the run. The Badger will eventually rest at the National Motor Museum, Birdwood, South Australia.
The intended itinerary is:Although the track is much easier now than in the 1950s and earlier, conditions are still basic and travellers should be well prepared.
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