"WARM—SUNNY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 156, 3 July 1937, Page 15

"WARM—SUNNY."

POLAR WEATHER. SOVIET SCIENTIFIC PARTY. MOSCOW. "It is comparatively warm—twelve degrees below zero—sunny, with a slight wind. Everyone feels splendid." This — the first weather report from the Soviet station—was received from Professor Otto Schmidt, who, with his companions, landed close to the Pole after a flight from here. This historic conquest of the Pole comes as a climax to the flight of the | squadron of live Soviet teroplanes. which took off secretly from the Moscow airport on March 22, proceeding to the Pole by easy stages. A huge four-motored 'plane is now resting on an ice floe 12J miles beyond the Pole. In addition to Professor Schmidt, head of Russia's northern sea route and leader of the Chelyuskin Expedition, it brought to the Pole four Soviet scientists, who are determined to make this spot their residence for at least a year. The aeroplane took off from Rudolf Island, which is 558 miles from the Pole, at 4.52 one morning, and flew over the Pole at 11.10 a.m. Next descending through a heavy bank of clouds to a height of 650 feet, Vodopianoff, the pilot, searched for an ice floe suitable for a landing, dropping bombs to test whether the ice would support the heavy 'plane. At 11.35 he effected an excellent landing. Red Flag at the Pole. Above the North Pole now flies the Red Flag, with a portrait of Stalin, abanner bearing the Soviet emblem, the hammer and sickle, and the blue banner of the great northern sea route administration. The first structure ever to be erected at the North Pole will be the tiny, but comfortable, portable residence of the Soviet scientists, resembling a. miniature aeroplane hangar, 7J feet wide, 101 feet long, and 0 feet high, surmounted by a domed roof. The entire building, including beds, weighs less than 13011). j Providing through insulation for the | cabins, the aluminium framework is covered by four layers, the two outer consisting of canvas, and the two inner of eiderdown. An interesting feature is the air-cushioned flooring, which in case the ice lloe cracks will keep the cabin afloat.

The party is provided with a year and a half's supply of food, consisting of forty different types, including a lavish supply of caviare. Five thousand chickens were required to prepare 7501b of powdered chicken. A number of reserve bases for the storage of food and fuel will be set up within 600 feet of the cabin.

One of the primary objects of this ambitious undertaking is the establishment of a trans-Polar air route from Europe to America. Professor Schmidt believes that the successful establishment of a permanent Polar base, providing regular weather reports, and the possible subsequent creation of reserve Polar region aerodromes, will make the dream.of a Polar air route an early reality.