Argentine Naval Aviation: A Pioneer in Antarctica
1942 – 7 February – 1952
By Oscar Héctor Filippi
The first flight over Antarctica and the first Argentine postal flight to the continent.
By the Mar del Plata Branch of the Naval Aviation Institute.
The Boeing Stearman 76D-1 flown by Lieutenant Eduardo Lanusse, accompanied by Chief Aviation Corporal Erik Bolmquist.
On 7 February 1942, Lieutenant Eduardo Lanusse piloted a Boeing Stearman 76D-1, a fragile biplane whose wheels had been replaced with floats. The aircraft was lowered into the sea from the Argentine Navy transport ship 1º de Mayo. After taking off, Lanusse flew over Deception Island in the Argentine Antarctic Sector. It was the first flight by an Argentine aircraft over the White Continent.
Chief Aviation Corporal Erik Bolmquist served as the aircraft’s mechanic and accompanied Lieutenant Lanusse on this historic flight.
During the same period, air transport routes to Patagonia were also opened. Regular logistical support services reached the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego using Curtiss Condor aircraft.
This marked the beginning of the effective presence of Argentine naval aviation in Patagonia and Antarctica.
The PBY-5A Catalina amphibious naval aircraft, serial numbers 3-P-5 and 2-P-3, carried out the first airmail flight between the American continent and Antarctica.
On another 7 February, this time in 1952, the first Argentine—and reportedly the first worldwide—flight linking the American continent with Antarctica took place. Two PBY-5A Catalina amphibious naval aircraft, serial numbers 3-P-5 and 2-P-3, departed from Río Grande Naval Air Base in Tierra del Fuego.
The formation was commanded by Commander Pedro Iraolagoitía, while the aircraft were piloted by Lieutenant Commander Edgardo Andrew and Lieutenant Guillermo Campbell. After crossing the Drake Passage, they alighted on the waters off Deception Island. The aircraft were carrying mail, thereby establishing the first airmail service between continental Argentina and Antarctica.
These milestones were followed by successive Antarctic campaigns, which conducted the surveys required for the subsequent establishment of Argentine bases.
After 105 years of continuous Argentine presence in Antarctica, the country operated six permanent bases and seven seasonal bases. At the time of writing, 45 countries maintained a presence and conducted scientific research on the frozen continent. Argentina was its undisputed pioneer.
Also on 7 February, in 1964, Naval Air Squadron No. 4 was established. It initially comprised the Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron, the Second General-Purpose Naval Air Squadron and the Naval Helicopter Squadron.
Sources: Libro de Efemérides Navales – Armada Argentina Libro: Alas sobre el Mar..
Facebook de Oscar Héctor Filippi
No comments:
Post a Comment