WINTER FLIGHT TO ANTARCTICA

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 18

WINTER FLIGHT TO ANTARCTICA

Two United States Navy ski-equipped Hercules will make this winter’s flight from Christchurch to the Antarctic next month. It will be the first time two aircraft have travelled the entire distance to the continent together.

Both aircraft will carry internal fuel tanks to increase their range. In addition, there will be room for more than 50001 b of scientific equipment, high priority spare parts, fresh provisions, and the first mail since February for men at McMurdo Station and at Scott Base. The two Hercules are due at Christchurch on September 1 and should leave on the 2300-mile last leg of their 10,000-mile flight from Rhode Island to McMurdo Station on September 3. The aircraft will fly four hours apart. The main purpose of the flight will be to take 13 university scientists sponsored by the National Science Foundation’s U.S. Antarctic research programme. The scientists will carry out five research projects: a study of sea bottom plant and animal life, a study of the ability of micro-organisms in the ice-free “dry valleys” to survive the Antarctic winter, two studies of the deep diving behaviour and physiology of Weddell seals, and one geodetic and upper atmosphere study. One scientist now at McMurdo Station will return to the United States on the winter flight A Navy helicopter unit of seven men will also be on the flight. This will be the first time a helicopter unit will be used during the winter to help support the scientists. This will be the seventh winter flight to the Antarctic by the Navy’s VX6 Squadron. The first scheduled winter flights took place in June and September of last year. There

have been, in addition, four emergency flights in the Antarctic winters to evacuate injured men in 1961, 1964 and 1966 (twice).