American Planes Leave For McMurdo Sound

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30560, 1 October 1964, Page 18

American Planes Leave For McMurdo Sound

Although unfavourable weather at McMurdo Sound delayed for more than four hours the departure of two United States Navy Hercules from Christchurch last evening it did not prevent the Hercules from Melbourne leaving on its 4500-mile flight to Antarctica.

Reports received at the United States Navy base at Christchurch last evening indicated that the Melbourne flight began at 5.57 p.m. Provided the weather improves later, the aircraft carrying the commander of the Antarctic support force (Rear-Admiral J. R. Reedy) should land at Williams Field about 11.27 a.m. today.

At McMurdo Station last evening it was snowing, and there were gusts of up to 20 knots. At one stage visibility was down to quarter of a

mile. Conditions at Hallett Station were bad all day.

The two Hercules left Christchurch at 11.45 p.m. and midnight The time of departure for the two planes was changed twice because of weather reports from McMurdo.

In the morning McMurdo Station reported blowing snow and winds averaging 25 knots, with gusts up to 40 knots. At one stage it was thought the flights would not be made yesterday. Later reports held promise of an improvement, with winds down to 15 knots.

The original flight time was 7.30 pjn. Then it was 8 p.m. and later 11.45 p.m. Nothing was known at Harewood last evening about the Hercules making, the

flight from Punta Arenas. Chile. However, an advance weather probe and photographic reconnaissance flight over the Antarctic Peninsula to Anvers Island had been successfully completed. Throughout the day consultations took place between Christchurch, Melbourne and McMurdo Station by radio and telephone, and by cable with Punta Arenas.