The 2018 Ross Dependency issue featured aviation in the Ross Dependency. This got me thinking about how many other stamps feature aviation as well. Why not group them into a thematic collection? Not limiting myself to just Ross Dependency stamps I have included other New Zealand issued stamps from NZ Post and Antarctica Post too. Please note that while many stamp issues are mentioned only stamps that actually show aircraft will be included in this collection.
1958 - The First Trans-Antarctic Crossing.
While this set of stamps didn't show any aviation the special cover did. On the cover below three types of vehicle used during this exhibition - husky pulled sledges, tracked vehicles and a DHC-2 Beaver. Another view of this aircraft can be found in the 2018 Ross Dependency issue.
1957-58 - First Trans-Antarctic Crossing - Commemorating Cover.
The stamps are the 1957 Ross Dependency Pictorials, an issue designed for use by the expedition and then used by the newly established Scott Base.
1972 Ross Dependency Pictorials/Definitives.
The next time we see an aviation item is one of the stamps from the 1972 Definitives.
This could be considered New Zealand first Antarctic aviation stamp.
4c - RNZAF Hercules at Williams Airfield.
The military has been involved in Antarctica providing support for exploration and scientific research operations. The Hercules has proved to be a great aircraft for moving freight and personal between Christchurch and the ice airfields on the Ross Ice shelf.
1975 - 1985 Air Operations Between New Zealand and the Ross Dependency.
Next, we have two covers that flew on the supply flights to Antarctica.
RNZAF C-130H Hercules flown from Christchurch, New Zealand to Williams Field, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica on 27 November 1976.
During the period when The Ross Dependency wasn't issuing postage stamps, there were four issues by New Zealand Post. This first one looked at the research being done by New Zealand scientists based at Scott Base. Notice that the words "Ross Dependency" does not appear on this issue while on the next three issues in 1988, 1990 and 1992 it does.
1984 Antarctic Research - Miniature Sheet.
I really like this miniature sheet. It shows an NZRAF C-130 Hercules being unloaded on the ice near Scott Base. Nice mixture of modern transport equipment with a dog team in front.
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover - 1 February 1984.
Sorry about the quality of this image. We are looking for a replacement.
1995 Ross Dependency Antarctic Explorers.
This Ross Dependency issue featured six famous explorers with their ships/aircraft in the background.
$1.80 - Richard Evelyn Byrd / Floyd Bennett.
Byrd with his aeroplane Floyd Bennett (1923 - 30). Compared with previous expeditions, Richard Evelyn Byrd mounted one with far greater proportions. It was not just to attempt to fly over the Pole but was also to conduct research projects in the region. He had three ski-equipped aircraft, a Ford, a Fokker and a Fairchild. The tri-motored Ford, Floyd Bennett, named after another polar naval aviator, was chosen for the flight over the Pole in November 1929. Byrd carried out further expeditions in 1933-35.
2000 Ross Dependency Transport on Ice.
The Ross Dependency Transport on the Ice issue included six stamps and a first-day cover that depicts the rugged nature of the Antarctic terrain and the transportation challenges. Two of these stamps showed aircraft used in Antarctica.
40c - RNZAF C130 Hercules.
The RNZAF C130 Hercules is primarily used to carry people and cargo to and from Antarctica. This aircraft takes approximately seven hours flying time from Christchurch to McMurdo.
$1.50 - Squirrel Helicopter.
Unlike the Hercules, the Squirrel Helicopter is used to transport personnel and cargo over short distances within Antarctica.
2007 Ross Dependency - 50th Anniversary of the
Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
The 1955–58 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (CTAE) was a Commonwealth-sponsored expedition that successfully completed the first overland crossing of Antarctica, via the South Pole. It was the first expedition to reach the South Pole overland for 46 years, preceded only by Amundsen's and Scott's respective parties in 1911 and 1912.
50c - Air Transport / Beaver Aircraft.
The first stamp highlight air transport showing the single-engine Mk. VII Auster and Beaver. Mr James Bates is pictured before the Auster.
2011 Antarctica Post - The Icebreaker "Polar Sea."
The 2011 annual issue of Antarctica Post shows the US Coast Guard vessel "Polar Sea" an icebreaker used for science and logistic support in the Ross Dependency area.
Polar-class icebreakers USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10), USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11) are heavy icebreakers operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). These cutters, specifically designed for icebreaking, have reinforced hulls, special icebreaking bows, and a system that allows rapid shifting of ballast to increase the effectiveness of their icebreaking. The vessels conduct Arctic and Antarctic research and are the primary icebreakers that clear the channel into McMurdo Station for supply ships.
$2.00 - Ice-breaker Polar Sea.
A helicopter used to support operations in the Ross Sea.
Antarctica Post 2012.
2012 75 Years of the RNZAF.
The RNZAF plays an important role in the supply and support of New Zealand's science operations at Scott Base. The 75th anniversary was marked by NZ Post with the issue of a 15 stamp miniature sheet. One of these stamps had an Antarctica theme.
A C-130 Hercules on the ice in Antarctica after a flight to provide supplies and personal transport to New Zealand's Scott Base.
2017 Antarctica Post - Admiral Byrd Flight to the South Pole."
Celebrating 88 since this historic flight, the first flight to the South Pole.
On November 28, 1929, the first flight to the South Pole and back was launched. Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr., along with pilot Bernt Balchen, co-pilot/radioman Harold June, and photographer Ashley McKinley flew the Ford Trimotor to the South Pole and back in 18 hours, 41 minutes. They had difficulty gaining enough altitude, and they had to dump empty gas tanks, as well as their emergency supplies, in order to achieve the altitude of the Polar Plateau, but they were ultimately successful. Such a tiny little plane to make such an amazing flight.
2018 Ross Dependency - Aircraft.
$1.20 - RNZAF - Auster T7C.
The Auster T7C was 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, 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.
$1.20 - RNZAF - C130 Hercules.
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.
$1.20 - RNZAF – DHC-2 Beaver.
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.
$2.40 - RNZAF - B757.
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 takeoff performance compared with similarly 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.
$3.00 - Southern Lakes Helicopters - AS350-B3 Squirrel.
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.
$3.60 - Kenn Borek Air - DCH-6 Twin Otter.
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.
The Miniature sheet above & First Day Cover below.
The background view is ice on the Ross Sea from an aircraft on final approach to ice runway of Williams Field. In the Presentation Pack below you can see such an approach to the airfield built on the Ross Ice Shelf.
These are stickers to show mail that has travelled by helicopter.
Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
Information & images for this post came from.
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