Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules

[DeanoP]

Albert at South Sandwich Islands/Grytviken

Dante's Inferno! Fire and Ice

Reconnaissance of S. Sandwich Islands on 30 May 1990 in XV204. Flew southeast from MPA for about 1100nm to Thule, and Bellingshausen islands and then followed the chain of islands up to Zavordoski island and then on to S. Georgia. Had to fly low to maintain VFR, overwhelming scenery tracking below the cloud with icebergs and many active volcanoes searching for any Argentinian landings. 7 Harness packs dropped at Grytviken at the end of the recce. 10hrs flight. Very nice to be in a tanker a/c and have stacks of fuel for a diversion to Rio de Janeiro if Mount Pleasant Wx closed in and became unusable.
(Photos not in geographical order necessarily)























Zavodovski Island and active volcano


Zavodovski Island and active volcano


Zavodovski Island and active volcano


Entrance to Cumberland Bay and Grytviken harbour South Georgia (below)





Grytviken harbour showing wall of rock necessitating a sharp turn left after the supply drop