Turbo Dak down in Antartica
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cornwall
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Sad to see the DC3 in that way. I believe this particular airframe has been flying round Antarctica since 2000 atleast, all be it with different operators and under different registrations.
As for recovering it, FID POWER
As for recovering it, FID POWER
Always sad to see any aeroplane in such a state. Unfortunately, such incidents can be a cost of doing business down there. This one got out and has become high profile, whereas another Basler suffered a similar fate last year upon landing and escaped attention. It was repaired and limped back to Canada (not one of Borek's).
I have not heard of a definite salvage attempt of this one from the polar grapevine, but would be surprised if one has not been made. Time is running out though - outside of the peninsula, everyone is either out or hunkered down for winter by the end of Feb generally.
and fwiw, yes there are strict rules about waste reparitation from the field that are followed to differing degrees by different nations down south. (ie, when in the field, we carry piss drums in the aircraft and crap into bags that are returned to base and burnt). Aircraft wrecks are not always considered "waste" for some reason. There are lots down there that stay very well preserved and make for interesting viewing.
I have not heard of a definite salvage attempt of this one from the polar grapevine, but would be surprised if one has not been made. Time is running out though - outside of the peninsula, everyone is either out or hunkered down for winter by the end of Feb generally.
and fwiw, yes there are strict rules about waste reparitation from the field that are followed to differing degrees by different nations down south. (ie, when in the field, we carry piss drums in the aircraft and crap into bags that are returned to base and burnt). Aircraft wrecks are not always considered "waste" for some reason. There are lots down there that stay very well preserved and make for interesting viewing.
Last edited by compressor stall; 4th Jan 2008 at 22:00.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Aah Snips! I wonder how many of our friends know what you mean by FID POWER?! That's what we used when I was on loan service to BAS and had to recover both twotters in the 81/82 season.
Trash du Blanc
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Link to a incredible story about the recovery of a LC-130 down in Antarctica.
It was a harrowing tale, involving death, near-death, exposure and treachery. Two victims of the supply-aircraft crash came out in bodybags. Several of the hired hands digging out the plane came out in handcuffs. That place is not for the squeamish.....
quidquid excusatio prandium pro
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Judging from the pics of the airframe, looks to me like a dual engine change and major hull work. With the onset of the Antarctic winter looming, I’d expect nothing can be organized until spring, by which time the ol’ girl might be buried beyond salvage in snow and ice. Will depend on Borek’s insurance policies. At the very least, it will take a C-130 load of parts, engines, equipment, and some very savvy spanners to restore her to flying condition, only a miniscule few operators around who are willing and able to do that, price tag probably not worth it.
Write-off I guess, too bad, she'll be nothing more than a fond memory shortly.
Write-off I guess, too bad, she'll be nothing more than a fond memory shortly.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Frozen North
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The Basler, Resurrected
About a week after the previous poster had assumed the death by freezing of the Basler, a team of a half dozen or so extraordinarily talented engineers travelled to the site by twin otter, with tin to bash, and a zillion rivets.
Working in trenches under the frame in a scene reminiscent of the first world war, but with cold and a near constant wind to add to the misery.
Nearby, the remains of Admiral Byrd's trimotor lie encased in the ice, with a small bit of frame, and one copper-bottomed ski protruding from the grave.
http://byrdexpedition.org/ A herc taxied into a crevasse 50 miles away, and spent a very long time awaiting rescue.
Gear re-attached, new engines and props along with lots of tin-bashing in a truly wretched work locale, and limited everything made it a challenge. Particularly difficult was the truly relentless wind, which packed snow with the consistency of styrofoam into everything.
Removing it called for a chainsaw to cut it into blocks, the a half dozen people to break the blocks out, and pile it into a sledge and drag it away. Picture an area the volume of your living room being dug every day, and then waking up to discover it filled in again.
Twenty nine days later the aircraft taxied out of the pit it had been entombed in. A month to the day, the aircraft took off for Rothera, the Brit station on the peninsula. It was for us one of God's truly good days.
Three days later, after waiting for weather to cross the Drake, it left the continent. Safe to say, the pisco sours never tasted so good.
Currently, it is in Punta Arenas awaiting delivery of a radio. We expect it back the end of the week.
http://www.aipchile.cl and then click on: CAMARAS , THENCE Punta Arenas- Este
Working in trenches under the frame in a scene reminiscent of the first world war, but with cold and a near constant wind to add to the misery.
Nearby, the remains of Admiral Byrd's trimotor lie encased in the ice, with a small bit of frame, and one copper-bottomed ski protruding from the grave.
http://byrdexpedition.org/ A herc taxied into a crevasse 50 miles away, and spent a very long time awaiting rescue.
Gear re-attached, new engines and props along with lots of tin-bashing in a truly wretched work locale, and limited everything made it a challenge. Particularly difficult was the truly relentless wind, which packed snow with the consistency of styrofoam into everything.
Removing it called for a chainsaw to cut it into blocks, the a half dozen people to break the blocks out, and pile it into a sledge and drag it away. Picture an area the volume of your living room being dug every day, and then waking up to discover it filled in again.
Twenty nine days later the aircraft taxied out of the pit it had been entombed in. A month to the day, the aircraft took off for Rothera, the Brit station on the peninsula. It was for us one of God's truly good days.
Three days later, after waiting for weather to cross the Drake, it left the continent. Safe to say, the pisco sours never tasted so good.
Currently, it is in Punta Arenas awaiting delivery of a radio. We expect it back the end of the week.
http://www.aipchile.cl and then click on: CAMARAS , THENCE Punta Arenas- Este
Last edited by justcurious; 26th Feb 2008 at 13:17. Reason: WEBLINK ADDRESS INCORRECT
