Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 15, 2022 1:09:31 GMT 12
I came across this in the Press dated 28 November 1963, and I was quite surprised given both the Cold War and the US Antarctic Programme presence in Christchurch. I never realised the various nations' science communities were still on good terms.
Regular Soviet Flights From Harewood Likely
The arrival of two Soviet aircraft at Christchurch airport yesterday could herald the start of regular supply flights between Moscow and Mirny, the main Russian base in the Antarctic. The director of the Leningrad Polar Institute (Dr. A. Treshnikov), who arrived in the first of two Ilyushin 18 aircraft belonging to Aeroflot, the State airline, gave this information at a press conference.
While the two Soviet planes which visited Christchurch two years ago were on a pioneer flight, Dr. Treshnikov said, the present flight was taking scientists, construction workers and journalists to the Antarctic.
The first Ilyushin landed at 4.25 p.m. and the second at 5.5 p.m. According to Dr. Treshnikov their stay in Christchurch will be of no more than two days. Before leaving for McMurdo station, the pilots of both planes will be briefed by the Civil Aviation Administration, which will supply meteorological data in conjunction with the United States Navy Antarctic support force. The aircraft will return in about three weeks.
Aboard the aircraft was part of the ninth Soviet Antarctic expedition. Dr. Treshnikov said most of the expedition was aboard the icebreaker, Ob, and the supply ship, Estonia, which left Leningrad several days ago. There were 82 on board the two planes, of which 15 were crew members. Dr. Treshnikov said the group going to Mirny by air would be staying only for the summer season.
1900-Mile Trek
The Soviet expedition will this season carry out a 1900-mile trek from Vostok to the Pole of Inaccessibility. Vehicles to be used on the traverse are already being moved to Vostok from Mirny in readiness for the traverse, which is to be led by Dr. A. Kapitza, a seismologist, who went south two years ago when the Russians made their pioneer flight through Christchurch. A new station established last season and known as Molodozhnaya, on the coast west from Mirny, will be visited by air to land 25 construction workers, who will continue building the station.
In addition to changing the wintering party when the two ships arrive, normal building and scientific programmes will be continued. At present there are about 100 men at the four Soviet bases. While in the Antarctic the Russians will continue cooperation with the expeditions of other nations. Dr. Treshnikov said two American scientists would be working this season at both Mirny and Vostok and a member of the British Antarctic party would work at a Soviet base while a Russian went to a British base. Soviet and French scientists would also co-operate in scientific projects, he added, and the Russians would have Czech and Hungarian exchange scientists.
No Inspection
Asked if they intended carrying out inspections of other nations’ bases this season similar to those planned by the Americans, Dr. Treshnikov said there was no intention to do so. “We know what is being done by other nations through our normal scientific co-operation and we don’t therefore think it necessary to carry out special investigations. Already about 100 Americans have visited Mirny. They can see what they wish any time,” he added. “We’ll give them all facilities for their examinations.”
Dr. Kapitza acted as interpreter during the press conference. With him sat Professor M. Somov, leader of the expedition during the summer season. Dr. Treshnikov will inspect all Soviet Antarctic bases.
After the plane’s arrival, strict security precautions were taken until the Russians had been through customs, and visitors were ushered from the overseas lounge. A continual police guard will be placed on the aircraft. After the first Ilyushin landed, the pilot, Captain A. Polyakov, who commands the flight, went up to the control tower to assist landing the second plane. Captain Polyakov is making his third visit to the Antarctic.
There was a small crowd at the terminal building to watch the Russian aircraft arrive, and it was swelled by the families and friends of members of the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment, who left for Singapore in a R.N.Z.AF. DC6 shortly before.
Well-Dressed Group
The Russians seemed a well-dressed group as they stepped down the gangway into a grey, drizzling afternoon. Many of them, particularly the scientific leaders, wore summer-weight suits of synthetic materials, and those who wore hats had berets in all sorts of colours —blue, brown, black and even pink.
They changed their roubles into pounds, seemed unconcerned by a battery of bright lights from still and television cameras, and were met by Mr E. E. Goodale, the senior representative in Christchurch of the American National Science Foundation. Also there to greet them was Mr A. I. R. Jamieson, the airport manager, and Mr J. E. Davies; the district manager of National Airways Corporation. Mr K. Duffield, vice-president of the Christchurch branch of the N.Z.-U.S.S.R. Society, escorted the leaders of the Russian party into the city.
Handling of the two Russian aircraft and the visitors was done by N.A.C. The Russians were booked into three Christchurch hotels—Bonners, the New City and the Embassy.
Plans for their entertainment during the two days they expect to be in Christchurch have been made by the New Zealand-U.S.S.R. Society. They are to visit members’ homes and a function has been organised for Friday evening.
PRESS, 28 NOVEMBER 1963
Regular Soviet Flights From Harewood Likely
The arrival of two Soviet aircraft at Christchurch airport yesterday could herald the start of regular supply flights between Moscow and Mirny, the main Russian base in the Antarctic. The director of the Leningrad Polar Institute (Dr. A. Treshnikov), who arrived in the first of two Ilyushin 18 aircraft belonging to Aeroflot, the State airline, gave this information at a press conference.
While the two Soviet planes which visited Christchurch two years ago were on a pioneer flight, Dr. Treshnikov said, the present flight was taking scientists, construction workers and journalists to the Antarctic.
The first Ilyushin landed at 4.25 p.m. and the second at 5.5 p.m. According to Dr. Treshnikov their stay in Christchurch will be of no more than two days. Before leaving for McMurdo station, the pilots of both planes will be briefed by the Civil Aviation Administration, which will supply meteorological data in conjunction with the United States Navy Antarctic support force. The aircraft will return in about three weeks.
Aboard the aircraft was part of the ninth Soviet Antarctic expedition. Dr. Treshnikov said most of the expedition was aboard the icebreaker, Ob, and the supply ship, Estonia, which left Leningrad several days ago. There were 82 on board the two planes, of which 15 were crew members. Dr. Treshnikov said the group going to Mirny by air would be staying only for the summer season.
1900-Mile Trek
The Soviet expedition will this season carry out a 1900-mile trek from Vostok to the Pole of Inaccessibility. Vehicles to be used on the traverse are already being moved to Vostok from Mirny in readiness for the traverse, which is to be led by Dr. A. Kapitza, a seismologist, who went south two years ago when the Russians made their pioneer flight through Christchurch. A new station established last season and known as Molodozhnaya, on the coast west from Mirny, will be visited by air to land 25 construction workers, who will continue building the station.
In addition to changing the wintering party when the two ships arrive, normal building and scientific programmes will be continued. At present there are about 100 men at the four Soviet bases. While in the Antarctic the Russians will continue cooperation with the expeditions of other nations. Dr. Treshnikov said two American scientists would be working this season at both Mirny and Vostok and a member of the British Antarctic party would work at a Soviet base while a Russian went to a British base. Soviet and French scientists would also co-operate in scientific projects, he added, and the Russians would have Czech and Hungarian exchange scientists.
No Inspection
Asked if they intended carrying out inspections of other nations’ bases this season similar to those planned by the Americans, Dr. Treshnikov said there was no intention to do so. “We know what is being done by other nations through our normal scientific co-operation and we don’t therefore think it necessary to carry out special investigations. Already about 100 Americans have visited Mirny. They can see what they wish any time,” he added. “We’ll give them all facilities for their examinations.”
Dr. Kapitza acted as interpreter during the press conference. With him sat Professor M. Somov, leader of the expedition during the summer season. Dr. Treshnikov will inspect all Soviet Antarctic bases.
After the plane’s arrival, strict security precautions were taken until the Russians had been through customs, and visitors were ushered from the overseas lounge. A continual police guard will be placed on the aircraft. After the first Ilyushin landed, the pilot, Captain A. Polyakov, who commands the flight, went up to the control tower to assist landing the second plane. Captain Polyakov is making his third visit to the Antarctic.
There was a small crowd at the terminal building to watch the Russian aircraft arrive, and it was swelled by the families and friends of members of the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment, who left for Singapore in a R.N.Z.AF. DC6 shortly before.
Well-Dressed Group
The Russians seemed a well-dressed group as they stepped down the gangway into a grey, drizzling afternoon. Many of them, particularly the scientific leaders, wore summer-weight suits of synthetic materials, and those who wore hats had berets in all sorts of colours —blue, brown, black and even pink.
They changed their roubles into pounds, seemed unconcerned by a battery of bright lights from still and television cameras, and were met by Mr E. E. Goodale, the senior representative in Christchurch of the American National Science Foundation. Also there to greet them was Mr A. I. R. Jamieson, the airport manager, and Mr J. E. Davies; the district manager of National Airways Corporation. Mr K. Duffield, vice-president of the Christchurch branch of the N.Z.-U.S.S.R. Society, escorted the leaders of the Russian party into the city.
Handling of the two Russian aircraft and the visitors was done by N.A.C. The Russians were booked into three Christchurch hotels—Bonners, the New City and the Embassy.
Plans for their entertainment during the two days they expect to be in Christchurch have been made by the New Zealand-U.S.S.R. Society. They are to visit members’ homes and a function has been organised for Friday evening.
PRESS, 28 NOVEMBER 1963
