Transport on the Ice included six stamps and a first day cover that depicted the rugged nature of the Antarctic terrain and the transportation challenges.
Issue information
Some of the transportation used by New Zealand in Anterctica has featured as part of a number of the Ross Dependency stamp issues release by New Zealand Post from 1957 to 1982. In November 2000, we took an even closer look at the types of transportation that was currently used on the ice in Ross Dependency. Designed by Sea Sky Design, who also deisgned the New Zealand Wildlife stamp issue in 1996, Transport on the Ice included six stamps and a first day cover that depicted the rugged nature of the Antarctic terrain and the transportation challenges.
The 40c stamp featured a RNZAF C130 Hercules primarily used to carry people and cargo to and from Antarctica. This aircraft takes approximately seven hours flying time from Christchurch to McMurdo. Unlike the Hercules, the Squirrel Helicopter ($1.50) is used to transport personnel and cargo over short distances within Antarctica. Both the Hagglunds BV206 All Terrain Carrier (80c) and the ASV Track Truck ($1.20) are effective modes of transportation on sea ice. Like the ASV Track Truck, the Tracked 4 x 4 Motorbike’s ($1.10) tracker system increases its capability for working on soft snow by decreasing the ground pressure of the vehicle. The ASV Track Truck is also ideal for safely crossing small crevasses whereas the Tracked 4 x 4 Motorbike is the prime mover for small trailers and sledges around Scott Base. The Elan Skidoo ($1.80) is also considered to be the local transport on snow, and is sometimes used for remote party fieldwork because it is light and can be easily transported by small aircraft.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Antarctica New Zealand for allowing us to reproduce images from their Pictorial Collection.
We would also like to recognise the following photographers whose work appears as part of the stamp designs:
- 40c, 80c, $1.20, $1.50 and $1.80: Chris Rudge
- $1.10: David Geddes.
Ross Dependency Postage in New Zealand
| Ross Dependency stamps are not valid for postage in New Zealand. Click here to find out more. |
Product Listing for 2000 Ross Dependency - Transport on Ice
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp | Single 40c 'RNZAF C130 Hercules' gummed stamp. | $0.40 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single 80c 'Hagglunds BV206 All Terrain Carrier' gummed stamp. | $0.80 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $1.10 'Tracked 4 x 4 Motorbike' gummed stamp. | $1.10 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $1.20 'ASV Track Truck' gummed stamp. | $1.20 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $1.50 'Squirrel Helicopter' gummed stamp. | $1.50 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $1.80 'Elan Skidoo' gummed stamp. | $1.80 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with six gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.30 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 4 November 2000 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Six |
| Denominations and designs: | 40c RNZAF C130 Hercules, 80c Hagglunds BV206 All Terrain Carrier, $1.10 Tracked 4 x 4 Motorbike, $1.20 ASV Track Truck, $1.50 Squirrel Helicopter and $1.80 Elan Skidoo |
| Stamps and first day cover designed by: | Sea Sky Design, Paraparaumu, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | 103gsm red phosphor stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 x 14 |
| Cost of unaddressed first day cover: | $7.30 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode and value blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least two stamps from a sheet. Barcode blockes were available in B format for sheet stamps. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 3 November 2001. |
