Flight of the Puckered Penguins

Cdr. Gus Shinn and his R4D crew are selected to make the first pole landing, but the author and his crew perform a vital mission as a standby search and rescue team should the Cdr. Shinn crew get stranded at the Pole. While waiting for Cdr. Shinn to approach the Pole, the author and his aircraft commander walk over the ice shelf to the base of the mountains, experiencing the loneliness and quiet on that desert of ice. Cdr. Shinn has great difficulty in getting airborne from the South Pole, due to the temperature and the low engine power available to the R4D at 10,000 feet above sea level. The author and crew return to McMurdo following the Pole visit.

Chapter 12 - The Trail to Marie Byrd Land

The author's flight crew are ordered to Little America to help with the establishment of the Marie Byrd Station, 400 miles southeast of Little America Station Five. First, they deliver dynamite to the advance party of tractors as they reach the heavy crevassing at the juncture of the ice shelf and the continent. Using dynamite and large tractors the engineers manage to fill giant crevasses with ice and snow so the main tractor party can cross this area. The R4D is also used to deliver diesel fuel to caches along the projected Tractor Trail. The detachment pilots return to NAF McMurdo.

Chapter 13 - Time Out From Flying

As aviation fuel supplies run low flying time is reduced until fuel ships arrive. The author returns to doing administrative work. In between working hours he and others take short walking trips over mountains and the sea ice for pleasure. He visits seal rookeries and observes mother seals and their pups. He visits Captain Scott's abandoned campsite.

Chapter 14 - Going to the Pole

At last, the author's R4D is scheduled for Pole landing, however, he was unable to properly rest the night prior, so he fights sleep to and from the Pole. His aircraft commander errs on takeoff and one wing stalls, almost causing the aircraft to crash. The landing at Pole was normal but aircraft commander again tries to takeoff without using available JATO rockets and after about two miles without getting off surface he was forced to use rockets. The incident caused concern over the capability of the aircraft commander. Their aircraft was diverted to Little America before returning to McMurdo, adding six hours to what was already a 15 hour flight.

Chapter 15 - Second Pole Landing

The author tells of a mistake he made in which he unexpectedly ran through a field of semi-frozen toilet wastes, followed by a fall into a crack in the sea ice. Following this small adventure he and his crew made their second Pole landing. Upon return to McMurdo the R4D was ordered to return to Little America.

Chapter 16 - A Pilot's Pilot

Lieutenant Commander Harvey Speed is described as an outstanding naval aviator, one full of courage and stamina. His humorous speech and his vast collection of funny stories made him the favorite officer on the Ice.

This chapter contains the description of the long, tedious flying hours spent over the Tractor Trail. The author describes a particular landing at Marie Byrd Station when the visibility was very poor and an instrument landing had to be made. The impact of the landing was so hard the crew were surprised that the landing gear did not fail.

The author switches from the R4D to the UC-1 aircraft. This single engine aircraft was used for short range delivery of fuel to the Trail Party. The author was designated as Commander of a Task Unit and was now responsible for all flight operations out of Little America. As Officer-in-Charge of the wintering over detachment he became responsible for this group of individuals as well. The author was co-pilot of one flight when weather closed in at Little America and his crew had to land at a remote spot on the continent. After about eighteen hours another aircraft brought them fuel and they were able to return to Little America. The author also starts flying regular helicopter flights between Little America and ships in the area. On one helicopter landing when the temperature was -35 degrees F. the helicopter started to shake itself to pieces due to a condition called ground resonance. The author saved the aircraft by jerking it into the air so the vibrations could dampen themselves.

As the summer pilots and maintenance personnel departed the wintering over detachment found themselves alone for the first time. Duties are assigned to individuals. Logistic support for wintering over scientists is stepped up. Tractor Train support is continued. When the weather is good flying is conducted around the clock. Harvey Speed makes one last flight to the Pole Station and loses engine on return flight. On the spot repairs were made there on the ice plateau and the aircraft was able to return to McMurdo.

This chapter deals with initial adjustments which had to be made with the other naval group, the Seabees, remaining on the Ice for the winter. The author almost relieved of duty because he disagrees with Captain Dickey, the wintering over Commander of Antarctic operations. The author describes major players, military and scientific, who are left to winter at Little America.

If you have any feedback or queries about "Flight of the Puckered Penguins" you are most welcome to contact James Waldron