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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1982-83: VUWAE 27

Transport:

page 31

Transport:

Transport to and from Antarctica was as follows:
Dr. R. Dibble 15.11.82 NZAF Herc 12.1.83 VXE-6 Herc
I. Paintin (Member of K5) 8.1.83 VXE-6 Herc
P. Otway 22.11.82 NZAF Herc 17.12.82 VXE-6 Starlifter
S. Currie 22.11.82 NZAF Herc 17.12.82 VXE-6 Starlifter
24 Nov Otway to Fang
29 Nov Fang - Hut

No problems were experienced going to Antarctica. Returning to New Zealand proved difficult because resupply flights to Pole and Siple Stations had been delayed, and were first priority. Pressure for seats can be gauged from Dibble's experience. Although already delayed 2 weeks and in spite of priority assigned by the DOIC for family weddings beginning 12 January and preparation for the Pacific Science Conference beginning 1 February, he had to toss for the last of the 26 Kiwi seats available on the 8 January flight (and lost).

Helo transport to and from Erebus also proved difficult. On 30 November while still with K5, Dibble, Paintin requested a helo for a move to the Fang and were assigned 6 December as the earliest opportunity. On 3 December Dibble and Paintin returned to Scott Base in the surveyor's snotrac. From then until 17 December, the days we were on the helo schedule began cloudy (sometimes clearing later but Erebus was always scheduled for 9 a.m. and not rescheduled later) and on fine days we were not on the schedule. Flights up Erebus need to be on a weather-opportunity basis, but with many parties waiting for the helos, good lobbying at McMurdo was needed for this. Few of the helo crews had flown up Erebus before. The crew rostered to take us to Fang on 17 December declined, and we were fortunate that other crews volunteered.

On 17 December a US/Japan/NZ party of 7 flew to Fang, and otway's party of 3 descended to Scott Base 8 days after they had completed their work. On 18 December, W. McIntosh, J. Gamble and J. Berg reached the Fang on 3 Skidoos and on 19 December, McIntosh's party (and P. Kyle) reached the summit hut on 2 Skidoos (one got stuck in snow) only 3 days after leaving McMurdo, but they were unable to take any load above Fang, and were not properly acclimatised, so they returned to McMurdo next day.

On 21 December a helo came up empty to take the US/Japan/NZ party to the hut, and then brought L. Bell plus cargo up from Scott Base. On 22 December the remaining cargo was flown up. This included a Yamaha toboggan (350 c.c.) which was subsequently used during surveys of the summit plateau. It was not tuned for altitude, was hard to start, and lacked power at low speeds. It is garaged in the hut for the winter.

On 27 December, the US/Japan party descended to McMurdo by helo on a clear but humid day. During the first attempt to land contrails enveloped the helo and it had to circuit while the pad cleared. On take-off, contrails page 32 again enveloped it and with visibility obscured, the crew were unaware that the helo rotated on lift-off, until they flew out of the cloud straight towards a tent. They avoided it but thundered over the hut at low level.

The NZ party were scheduled to descend on 30 December and asked for an afternoon flight. Instead they were rescheduled for the next day which was unflyable. The next scheduling was 4 January which was cloudy but clearing at 0800. We suggested the helo wait until mid morning, but they came at 9 a.m. and could not land. The cloud cleared, as predicted and we were brought down by Lt. Turner in a perfect flight (with the helo absolutely full) at 1830 McMurdo time.

On 11 January, Dibble, Bell and the Science Express camera crew flew to the hut and returned to Scott Base 2 1/4 hours later.

To summarise, few delays were experienced when ground transport was used, even on Erebus, but Dibble and Paintin were delayed 19 days waiting for Helos up (14 days) and down (5 days) Erebus, and Dibble was delayed a further 4 days waiting for a flight back to New Zealand.