N.Z. Antarctic Flight May Join Americans This Year

Press, Volume C, Issue 29506, 6 May 1961, Page 12

N.Z. Antarctic Flight May Join Americans This Year

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, May 5. The R.N.Z.A.F. Antarctic flight is unlikely to go to the Antarctic as a unit next season, but the personnel of the flight may be attached to the United States expedition to fly with American Otter crews. This was confirmed today by the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre). “The ex’ent of New Zealand’s activities in Antarctica is currently under consideration,” said Mr Eyre. “Although the R.N.Z.A.F. plans to use two de Havilland Otters in the area, no decision has yet been made for the purchase of the second machine. "Until the R.N.Z.A.F. has two Otters, the Antarctic flight will not operate as an entity in the Antarctic. “The possibility that Antarctic flight personnel should be attached to the Americans to supplement their Otter crews and gain experience is being investigated.” The Antarctic flight's only suitable aircraft at present is the Otter which was purchased in a damaged condition last year from the United States Navy for £5OOO

The cost of repairs and of fitting it with suitable equipment was then estimated at £15,000. The Otter’s overhaul is now nearing completion. Mr H. W Robertson, works manager of the de Havllland aircraft factory at Rongotai, said today that work on the plane would be completed early in July The plane would then go Jo the R.N.Z.A.F for the fitting of special equipment. For more than a year it has been admitted that the minimum requirement for the Antarctic flight would be two Otters A request for a second Otter was made to the Labour Cabinet last year, bu’ a decision was deferred pending clarification of policy on the length of New Zealand’s mapping and exploration programme in the Antarctic. The cost of a new Otter is now more than £41,000. Service opinion is that there is still a chance that the reconditioned Otter will go south in October with some Antarctic flight personnel. They will be attached to the Americans as a sub-unit. The Otter, $ single-engined aircraft with a range of 960 miles, is a development of

the Beaver. New Zealand's only Beaver was abandoned early last year as too difficult to salvage after a crash near the Beardmore Glacier. The Otter can carry 10 passengers and a crew of two. and has proved most suitable for transporting men, sledge teams and heavy supplies. Last season. New Zealand parties carried out a full programme of Antarctic research without the assistance of the Antarctic flight. Though the Labour Cabinet gave much thought to redefining the scope of New Zealand’s programme of Antarctic exploration and research over the next 10 years, no decisions were made. The need tor ano'her Otter, a great deal of replenishment and development gear, and a new Antarctic ship has raised to more than £5 million the cost of New Zealand’s continued participation in Antarctic work, according to a Cabinet member. “By the end of next month we shall have to make up our minds whether we are in or out,” he said today. “We feel it must be one thing or the other Half-measures are unpalatable—and too expensive in the long fun.”