2018 Ross Dependency Aircraft

Single $1.20 'RNZAF - Auster T7C' gummed stamp.

This stamp was a homage to the Auster T7C (pictured: an Auster WE600), a British designed and built aircraft developed in 1945 as an observation aircraft. The Auster, operated by the RNZAF Antarctic Flight as NZ1707, was powered by the wartime de Havilland Gipsy engine, and fitted with snow skis and extensive communication equipment. The design featured excellent visibility, a low flying speed and short take off capability, making it well suited for the Trans-Antarctic Expedition as the observation and reconnaissance aircraft. The Auster survived its deployment and post Antarctica service with the RNZAF, and now resides as a permanent static display at the Airforce Museum of New Zealand, Christchurch.

Single $1.20 'RNZAF – DHC-2 Beaver' gummed stamp.

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver was designed as a bush aircraft to access remote North America, on floats, wheels or snow skis, and is powered by the wartime Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp radial engine. Operated by the RNZAF Antarctic Flight as NZ6001, the Beaver was the primary expedition aircraft for the Trans-Antarctic Expedition, laying depots of supplies and dog teams. Following the Trans-Antarctic Expedition, the Beaver continued its support of the then established New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme, now as NZ6010. In early 1960, Beaver NZ6010 crashed whilst negotiating whiteout on the Beardmore Glacier, fortunately without loss of life following a heroic rescue by the Auster. The badly damaged aircraft was not recovered.

Single $1.20 'RNZAF - C130 Hercules' gummed stamp.

The Lockheed C130 Hercules is one of the most successful cargo aircraft manufactured, with a production run spanning over 60 years. The Royal New Zealand Air Force has operated the C130 ‘H’ series since 1965. In that same year, it started supporting New Zealand’s Antarctic programme, a faultless period of service surpassing any other aircraft type on the continent. The C130 is well suited to providing the airlink from New Zealand to Antarctica, given its designed capability to operate on unprepared runway surfaces, and transport both bulk cargo and personnel.

Single $2.40 'RNZAF - B757' gummed stamp.

The Boeing 757 is the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s strategic airlift aircraft, with its origins as a commercial airliner. The B757 is known for its high power-to-weight ratio and excellent take off performance compared with similar sized aircraft. It supports the intercontinental link from Christchurch, New Zealand, with its ability to move large numbers of personnel in relative comfort, subsequently allowing more focused movement of cargo on the C-17 and C-130 aircraft. The B757 is one of a few commercial airliner aircraft routinely landing on an ice runway.

Single $3.00 'Southern Lakes Helicopters - AS350-B3 Squirrel' gummed stamp.

The AS350-B3 helicopter, within the Squirrel series, is a French built aircraft with a single turbine engine known for its excellent performance and resilient rigid rotor system. The Squirrel has a long and proven history of operating in the most extreme of environments around the world, particularly in mountainous locations. The B3 model, operated by the contracted operator Southern Lakes Helicopters, is highly active during the operational season, supporting the establishment of camps, personnel movements, aerial monitoring and surveillance, and search and rescue duties. The contracted helicopters supporting the New Zealand programme are transported to Antarctica seasonally by the C-17 aircraft.

Single $3.60 'Kenn Borek Air - DCH-6 Twin Otter' gummed stamp.

The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian built bush aircraft, with its origins developed from the DHC-2 Beaver and its slightly larger counterpart the DHC-3 Otter, also well versed to Antarctic operations. The Twin Otter is powered by two Pratt and Whitney PT-6 turbine engines and features a large cabin capacity for movement of provisions and personnel into the interior of Antarctica. The Twin Otter has supported New Zealand’s Antarctic programme on lease arrangements with other Antarctic programmes, and contracts with its Canadian operator Kenn Borek Air. The Twin Otter’s position annually from the Northern Hemisphere for the summer season through South America and across the Antarctic continent, via the South Pole to Ross Island.

This presentation pack included a set of gummed stamps, a miniature sheet, and a first day cover. Inside you learned more about the history of New Zealand’s aviation activities in Antarctica, and how it has evolved over the decades.

With this limited edition you learned more about the history of aviation in Antarctica, and how it supports our presence on the ice. Our contributor, John Evans is actively involved with the Beaver Preservation Trust, operating a Beaver aircraft decorated as the Trans-Antarctic Expedition NZ6001 Beaver. As an engineer, he has worked in Antarctica with the New Zealand Antarctic programme, supporting conservation activities on historic sites with the Antarctic Heritage Trust, and more recently, with Antarctica New Zealand on their overland traverse capability, supporting deep field science projects on the Ross Ice Shelf.