THE FROZEN SOUTH

Southland Times, Issue 20661, 17 April 1929, Page 5

THE FROZEN SOUTH

EXPLORATION WORK.

VALUE OF THE AEROPLANE

(By Russell Owen. Copyright 1929 by the New York Times Company and the St. Louis Post-Despatch.) (All rights for publication reserved through-

out the world.) (Wireless to New York Times.) Bay of Whales, April 14

The airplane has proved its value to Antarctic flying under the most severe conditions of cold far below zero, through snow squalls, over a surface obscured by drift and sourrounded by an undefined horizon. The motors have shown no mechanical failure, and the landing gear has stood up on fields so rough that at home no pilot would dream of taking off with a load. The most important lesson learned is that a plane for use in this country of violent winds should have folded wings. “I judge that sixty per cent, of our flying has been impossible to distinguish the surface or the horizon at times during flights,” said Commander Byrd, adding: “The results have so far exceeded our expectations, and I am more than ever convinced that in a region so inaccessible as Antarctica the airplane is the logical method for exploration except where local conditions make it prohibitive. ‘We have flown over thousands of square miles of territory never before seen. We have surveyed and mapped it and landed on it, for closer geological examination and to fix its position true. We have lost one airplane, but we were pioneering, and I believe from the experience gained such losses can be avoided by future air explorers. So I think the record of this preliminary work speaks well for the use of the airplane in exploration and points the way to even greater records to be written —not only by us, but also by those who will come after us.

Starting the Engine.

“During our photographic flight of 10,000 feet,” added Commander Byrd, “with the temperatures 38 below, the engines began back-firing and missing, due to the lack of heat in the oil system. The oil temperature is normally 140 to 160 Fahrenheit, but on this occasion it fell to 100. -Lagging two more oil Lines brought it up to 140 and there was no further trouble. It is believed that it will eventually be possible to enclose the entire air-cooled engine in a cowling so that the flow of air may be regulated and even temperature maintained at all times. Such a cowling would be ideal for Antarctic flying.

“Starting the engine presents many difficulties, but with blow-torches and hot oil we are able to do it in 55 minutes. We frequently found after a storm that the fine snow had drifted in through tiny openings in the canvas until every space between the cylinder rods, and even inside the cowling, is packed with hard snow. The valve-box covers are filled with paste snow and concealed oil and the entire engine is so stiff that a man can throw his weight against the propeller without budging it. This looks rather hopeless till the heater is put under the engine and it is melted out. “Even if the engine could be turned over carburettion in a cold engine at thirty below is impossible, but with fireproof canvas above and blow-torches underneath even in the coldest weather, with high winds, it is possible to heat the motor to a temperature of 120 in forty-five minutes.”