ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19815, 5 December 1919, Page 8

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

FLIGHT TO THE POLE. by Telegraph— Pt i <w Sfi'ofintion—Copyright Australian nr.d N.2. Cable Aeeociution, (.Received December 5. 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 3. The Hlackburn Company is constructing a single engined biplane for Cope’s Antarctic Expedition, to make the final 4UO miles dash to the Pole, It will luvo a great lifting capacity. It will carryjour men, including Cope and \Vilkins, also a coii.siderr.blo quantity of sledging and camping equipment, provisions lor at least, ten weeks, to meet emergency in tiio event of the machine crashing and necessitating a return on toot, and si flicicnt petrol to cover 12,000 miles. Owing to there being no likelihood of following a, direct route, the start for the Polo would bo made from the Great Harrier, at an altitude of 5000 ieet, but the machiuo must be capable of Hying at 11,000 ft, which., owing to the rarefied atmosphere, is equal to 21,000 ft in lower altitudes. -It must be wanned througnout. 'lhe vvnole fuselage is airtight, lln machine will bo sent to Scandinavia in January, to tost its snitabilitv for co d regions. An oil-cooled engine mil bo used, as water-cooled and aircoo icu engines are impracticable, owing to freezing and fragility.