Posted on 02/06/2005 12:47:05 PM PST by shaggy eel
The make of jet plane that for years linked Christchurch to Antarctica has taken its last Ice flight.
C-141s were the first jets to land in Antarctica and have transported people and supplies to the United States' McMurdo Station in Antarctic for the past 40 years.
Although destined to become scrap metal on its return to the States, the last great old grey StarLifter to make the Ice flight was farewelled with much sentiment by Antarctic personnel yesterday in Christchurch before it flew back to the United States.
"It's like men and their cars – you get kind of attached to the old thing," strategic airlift commander Major Gevin Harrison said.
The aircraft had been an integral part of the lives of those working on the Ice for as long as most people could remember, he said.
In its almost half a century of service to the Antarctic mission, the C-141 put in more than 45,000 flight hours as part of Operation Deep Freeze, which kept McMurdo and Scott Base stocked with people and necessary supplies.
C-141s were used primarily for Antarctic missions since entering service in 1965, Harrison said.
Forty-seven United States Air Force staff flew out on a C-141 yesterday – also taking leave of Christchurch and their involvement with the Antarctic programme.
The C-141 will stop in American Samoa to refuel and then spend a night in Hawaii before heading to Tuscon, Arizona.
While the aircraft was a workhorse and an integral part of Antarctic history, it was not the most comfortable of rides, Harrison said. Seating arrangements inside the C-141 is so tight passengers sit facing each other with little room between knees.
The C-141s had been replaced by the newer, larger and more comfortable C-17 aircraft.
Despite its well-worn exterior and squashed interior, the StarLifter would be missed, Antarctic New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson said. "The C-141s have been an integral part of the New Zealand Antarctic programme ... their arrival changed both the speed and volume of people and cargo that could be moved to between Christchurch and Antarctica.
"It's the end of an era and the passing of a significant Antarctic milestone."
Gee Whiz... I jumped out of those things in the Army.
Got a ride from Kadena AB, Okinawa to the states in one of those, back in 1968. The takeoff roll was aborted when it was discovered the rear doors had not been closed. We returned to the ramp where the doors were properly fastened and took off without any further problems.
The funny part was that we landed at our home base exactly one hour before we departed from Kadena AB......
Just the other day, I saw a C-141 fly here into Pittsburgh as I was driving to work. Magnificent plane.
,,, time zones - who'd have 'em?
That's true. You should have upgraded to fifth class like me: our lawn chairs at least faced forward, mostly. I think I rode backwards once - shoulda tipped that gigantic stewardess with the 5-o'clock shadow, I suppose.
I learned to bring a parka and wear shoes with heavily-insulated soles so I didn't freeze to death while waiting for my fabulous box lunch.
Yep, got to see the sunrise twice, on the same day.....
Rod, the old C-47 was the Gooney Bird, the DC-3. Myself, I loved 'em but then I'm partial to tail draggers.
,,, I picked up a book yesterday afternoon by some Japanese guy entitled "DC-3 - the survivors". I was surprised how many examples of runners and non-runners are in New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
I have a better idea .... why not just fill it with a time Capsule and leave it out on the ice to be buried under the ice ?
,,, for all the trips they've done, I'd agree with you on that.
Only got to see a few C-124s. Did get a close look at a KC-97 while on Guam. There was one that flew in fresh vegatables and other supplies once a week from Japan. Now, I cannot remember what we called it, the garbage scow or something like that.
I checked your FR homepage.
So many great quotes
I have copied them and pasted them to another doc and will send them to friends with your permission
Thank you
Da Madman
The B-29 has 4 Wright Cyclone R3350s.
No problem. That's why I placed them there.
Great pic dighton ~ thanks!
There's nothing like the sound of a prop (unless it's a turbo prop) plane's motors, especially WWII fighter aircraft.
I've been to Point Mugu; love that part of California.
After I posted the first on to you, I was remembering that I went to Nam and returned on GlobeMasters, the 124 and the 140! The 2nd tour was to and fro on civilian craft...... with cute stewardesses in skirts!!!!!!
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