N.Z. Antarctic design

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 1

N.Z. Antarctic design

A New Zealand manufacturer may soon have the chance to produce a locally - designed motor toboggan for use in the Antarctic by the eleven nations which carry out scientific research there.

The Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific 1 and Industrial Research, together with three graduates from the University of Can--1 terbury’s engineering depart- • ment, is engaged in the designing of the new vehicle. : Mr R. B. Thomson, the 1 ■

division’s superintendent, said yesterday that within the next few weeks he will consult several New Zealand manufacturers about the making of a prototype. Most of the 11 nations working in the Antarctic were concerned that they had no snow toboggan specifically built for Antarctic conditions, said Mr Thomson.

Last year two new Swedish tracked motor toboggans were taken to Scott Base for testing but they were not properly suited to the snow and surface conditions in Antarctica. Mr Thomson said that most of the manufacturers in North America and Europe specialised in a recreational style of snow toboggan which was of no use in Antarctica. These vehicles were manufactured by the thousands.

Most overseas manufacturers were not very interested in producing a limited number of more specialised vehicles. For this reason a new Zealand manufacturer, with his smaller output, was well suited, said Mr Thompson. He said that a few units a year would probably be enough.

The new motor toboggan will have a much stronger frame than, the recreational type and will not travel as fast, but it will stand up to far more rigorous conditions.

Mr Thomson said it was hoped that there would be sufficient time for a prototype to be produced which could be taken to Scott Base next season for hard testing. After any necessary modi-; fications production of the commercial toboggan could then start.