Author Topic: A.N.A.R.E. Otter  (Read 1753 times)

Offline Rickshaw

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A.N.A.R.E. Otter
« on: May 14, 2020, 03:49:50 PM »
A.N.A.R.E. Otter

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is a division of the Department of the Environment. The Division undertakes science programs and research projects to contribute to an understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. It conducts and supports collaborative research programs with other Australian and international organisations, such as the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia, as well as administering and maintaining a presence in Australian Antarctic and sub-Antarctic territories.

Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) was established in 1948.  It undertook  expeditions to Australia's Antarctic territories.   To coordinate preparations for the work, an Executive Planning Committee was established in May 1947, with Sir Douglas Mawson as advisor. Group Captain Stuart Campbell, who had been in charge of BANZARE flying operations, was appointed chief executive officer of the expedition. In August 1947, the expedition was formally given the title, 'Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition' (ANARE). Dr Phillip Law, a physics lecturer at the University of Melbourne, was appointed to plan and organise the scientific program.

In the first season of ANARE, stations were established on Heard Island, in December 1947, and at Macquarie Island, in March 1948 using the naval vessel LST 3501.

Meanwhile, the Wyatt Earp sailed south to find a site for a continental station. Although weather and ice conditions prevented the small ship from reaching the coast, the voyage achieved some of its scientific aims. However, it was clear that Wyatt Earp was not suitable for the conditions. Another six years were to pass before ANARE secured a vessel capable of navigating in difficult ice conditions, the Kista Dan. Its greater cargo capacity to transport building materials, and ability to transport small aircraft for surveying and mapping work broadened ANARE's opportunities.

The RAAF provided support with a series of aircraft.  Initially Vought Kingfishers were provided, followed by DHC Beavers and then by Otters.  Painted a bright orange colour to aid identification, the aircraft ranged widely across the Antarctic continent.








[b[The Kit[/b]

A Hobbycraft Otter.  Assembled and painted by a hairy stick.  The markings were provided by Kit Spackman.  A nice bright orange. 

In reality the RAAF only operated two Otters, both flying from Woomera during the atomic tests.  However there was no reason why they couldn't have operated more, in Antarctica.

Offline The Rat

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Re: A.N.A.R.E. Otter
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2020, 10:53:43 PM »
Beauty, eh? And the Otter would have been well suited to Antarctic operations.
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Offline apophenia

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Re: A.N.A.R.E. Otter
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2020, 01:35:35 AM »
Beauty, eh? And the Otter would have been well suited to Antarctic operations.


Indeed. And there is some RAAF commonality as well - the Wirraway and DHC-3 used the same Wasp R-1340 S1H1-G engine and Hamilton Standard 3D40 prop (albeit licensed as the De Havilland ADH2 for the CAC Wirraway).

Possibly of interest: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/transportation/aviation/1955-69

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/transportation/aviation/1955-69/the-auster-mark-6-aircraft
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