EEXXPPLLOORREERR’’SS GGAAZZEETTTTEE Published Quarterly in Pensacola, Florida USA for the Old Antarctic Explorers Association Uniting All OAEs in Perpetuating the Memory of United States Involvement in Antarctica Volume 17, Issue 3 Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc Jul-Sep 2017 Ice Eagles: American Aviation in Antarctica Review by Bill Burch the present. Part 1 highlights the rise of Admiral double DVD set produced and directed by Thomas Henderson of Richard E. Byrd from daring aviation adventurer, A‘Graceful Willows Productions’. through his success at being the first to fly over Part 1 Exploration runs for 57 minutes the North Pole in 1926, and then setting up his Part 2 Science Takes Flight runs for 61 minutes. own Antarctic expedition, heavily sponsored by This is a very informative and comprehensive documentary video the Ford Motor Company. The first BAE was record of the history of US aviation exploits in Antarctica from 1929 to scheduled to run from 1928–1930. Byrd had planned on being the first to fly in Antarctica, and ultimately over the South Pole. We are told how he was beaten to the former goal by just a few weeks when Hubert Wilkins, running his own expedition took off from Deception Island and did a 1200 mile round trip over the Antarctic continent, on 15 December 1926. This is but one example of how much detail is built into the story narrated by John Romeo, and cleverly woven through a series of expert commentators, among them; David Bresnahan, National Science Foundation Representative for Antarctica 1972–2007; Wendell Summers, Lt Commander USN and former R4D Pilot ‘Operation Highjump 1946–47; Dian O. Belanger, Historian, author of Deep Freeze; several of the pilots and support crew involved with individual events, and John Stewart, Historian, Author of Antarctica: An Encyclopedia’ who credits Admiral E Byrd with ‘Opening up Antarctica via the aeroplane’. We learn too about the role the ship, Wyatt Earp, played in support of different expeditions, and Byrd’s initiating the use of Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) rocket bottles fixed to the side of the fuselage to give sufficient thrust for the R4D aircraft (Navy version of the DC-3) to take-off from an aircraft carrier. The story unfolds predominantly as voices over a large collection of movie clips and still pictures. Part 1 concludes with the detailed history of Operation Highjump, 1946–47, interleaved with the privately run Ronne expedition 1946–48 with all its personality Continued on page 4 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 17, I S S U E 3 J U L S E P 2 0 1 7 P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O R N E R Ed Hamblin—OAEA President GROWLERS & BERGY BYTES TO ALL OAEs—First off, I hope any of Feature Stories, Odds & Ends, Collected, Compiled, our members that live in Florida and Texas Edited, & Written by Billy-Ace Penguin Baker didn’t suffer any major damages from the 2 Page recent hurricanes. I got second hand from Cover StoryIce Eagles Review………………………. 1, 4 one of our ex-winter over members in § Florida west of Jacksonville that it wasn’t Burlington, VTIce Eagles Update………………………3 too bad, when he measured it against the § giant storm we had at McMurdo in 1974 Pensacola, FLIce Eagles Stars………………………….5 that blew away the ham shack. I guess it is all relative. § Only 8 months to our next OAEA reunion. San McMahon Point, AUWho is Bill Burch?…………….8 Antonio in May! I know John West is going to put on a § great one. To quote the OAEA Secretary when we were Slingerlands, NYComments From Other Viewers…...10 talking about the upcoming reunion: “this isn’t John’s § first rodeo”. Watch for the upcoming special Reunion Pensacola, FLMoses, Lichens & Liverworts………..11 Gazette issue for details and registration info. § Stuff going on besides reunion: since the last issue of the Gazette, the scholarship committee screened Pensacola, FLExplosion Heard at McMurdo ………13 applicants and made awards; more about that in the Oct- § Dec issue of the Gazette. Also, we thought there was a Here and There—Feedback & Letters to the Editor……14 possibility of Casey Station assist to recover the nose ski § assembly of the crashed P2V Neptune at Wilkes Station West Jefferson, NC—Lionel Wafer……………………..20 to be displayed along with the memorial plaque the § OAEA commissioned in 2012. What wasn’t realized at Here and There—In Memory: Obituaries………………23 the time is that there is some Australian site protections in § place and artifacts can’t just be moved around, so that Virginia, Beach, VA—Chaplain’s Corner………………27 one is a no-go. And we are presently working on some § possible changes to the election cycles. Chesapeake, VA—Tidewater Group Meeting………..…28 Want to serve on the OAEA Board of Directors and § have a voting voice in the organization? We are starting Pensacola, FL—Alone On The Ice Book Review………..29 preparations for our next election cycle, and we will be § looking for some new names on the ballots. The BOD Pensacola, FL—New Members & Reunions…………….32 does most of the OAEA business between the reunions § via e-mail. And BOD members who are at the reunions Here and There—Locator Column……………………… 33 attend a couple of business meetings. Attendance at the § reunion is not a requisite to serve on the BOD. Pensacola, FL—GCG Chapter Meetings………………..34 Some quick Fiscal Year recaps. Thanks to the § generosity of the membership, we received over 3,900 Pensacola, FL—Another Birthday For Gus…………….39 dollars in donations this fiscal year, with $1600 of that designated for the scholarship fund. Also, this fiscal year, DISCLAIMER STATEMENT we also added 44 new members to the Association; kudos to the Membership Committee Chairman for keeping the The Old Antarctic Explorers Association publishes the full court press on. Explorer’s Gazette quarterly. Opinions expressed by the A reminder to everyone about keeping us up to date if editorial staff or contained in articles submitted by members, you change your e-mail or snail mail addresses. A quick and non-members are not official expressions of the OAEA e-mail to the membership committee chairman at nor does the mention of books, products, or events constitute [email protected], or me ([email protected]) will endorsement by the OAEA. In accordance with Title 17 “get ‘er done”. Thanks. U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this newsletter It will be after the holidays when the next Gazette hits is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for the street. Until then, hope everyone has a good autumn non-profit research and educational purposes only. and holiday season. Take care and keep it real. Ed Hamblin 2 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 17, I S S U E 3 J U L S E P 2 0 1 7 Ice Eagles finally released! By Tom Henderson Creator No, really. It's true! After three years of researching, interviewing, assembling, and editing, this documentary of U.S. aviation in the Antarctic is finally complete. It has been a lot of work and more costly than I ever expected but it has also been well worth it. I have met many participants in this The Explorer’s Gazette is saga and was privileged to record their experiences. My the official publication of the research turned up a host of images, film, maps, and documents spanning almost a century of history. Old Antarctic Explorers Condensing this into a 2-hour film was a real challenge that Association, Inc. required telling the fundamental story in an interesting and National Headquarters factual way. You will be the judge of whether or not I 10819 Berryhill Road succeeded. Pensacola, FL 32506 USA The DVDs and Blu-Rays have been mailed. If you were Phone 850 456 3556 expecting one of these versions and have not received it in the next two weeks, please let me know at And is published four times annually [email protected]. Those who contributed for the online streaming version will be contacted very soon with Editor instructions. Anyone wishing to purchase another copy can Billy-Ace Baker go to the Graceful Willow website (www.gwillow.com) for Editorial Assistants details. Gus Shinn I would very much like to hear your comments. What I Kerry Konrad learn from this documentary will help me in creating the John Stewart next one. Pam Landy It has been a long road. I appreciate your patience and very much appreciate your support. This film would not Editor Emeritus have been made without you. Thank you! Jim O’Connell 2001–2003 ADDENDUM I am concerned that some of you may have placed orders for additional copies of Ice Eagles, which I have not Association Officers received. If you ordered by check and sent it to: 520 Normanskill Place President – Ed Hamblin Slingerlands, NY 12159 Vice President – John Lamont West and have not received your order, please let me know Secretary – Marty Diller when you sent the order and for what (number of copies, Treasurer – Bill Rouzer DVD or Blu-ray). I have temporarily moved to Vermont and, Life Director – Billy-Ace Baker while I did set up forwarding with the USPS, I am finding that the forwarding process is very inefficient at best. My Past President – Laura Snow current mailing address is: Director – David Bresnahan 35 Cherry Street #501 Director – Bob Buettner Burlington, VT 05401 Director – Allen Cox Those who may have ordered by PayPal are not affected.