This film is about the C-130’s first mission to create an unending supply line to the South Pole in Antarctica (:18) and is presented by Lockheed Georgia Division (:48). As science and methods of transportation accelerated, it was becoming possible to explore the icy tundra (1:21). American scientists had been conducting extensive programs since the international geophysical year of 1957 (1:43). Glaciologists are seen climbing down a ladder into deep ice mines (2:01). Temperatures here dropped below 60 degrees (2:05) and scientists were able to analyze the stress it took on the human body (2:19). Samples of ice are pulled (2:28) and cores were sent to laboratories in the US (2:35). Micro-organisms and dust collected would enable scientists to calculate changes in major trade winds (2:46). Snow blocks are brushed off and photographed (2:56) and these are inspected to understand how the Earth handled the Ice Age and what may lie ahead (3:12). At the bottom of the Antarctic Sea, specimens pulled up may shed light on ocean formations (3:19). Marine life is pulled and inspected (3:38). As the origin of most of the world’s weather is here, meteorologists made up the majority of those working on the programs (3:56). Radio’s are sent into the polar atmosphere and for the first time they were able to prepare synoptic weather maps of the southern hemisphere (4:12). A weather balloon is seen high in the sky (4:15). For land mapping, the US had covered about half of the continent and this was largely due to the help of the US Navy (5:03). The P2V Neptune was equipped with skis to land with supplies (5:12). Dynamite blasts explode behind a seismologist who will measure the sound waves created from the blasts (5:33). This gauged the depth of the ice and snow and some locations were over 10,000 feet deep (5:41). The Air Force brings in the C-130 (6:48) as the jet age had made travelling to remote locations such as this easier (7:12). In support of the Navy’s Deep Freeze operation, this is the first of seven Air Force C-130 D’s to land (7:15). The journey was 11,000 miles from Seward Air Force base in Tennessee (7:23). The plane weighed 62 tons (7:54) and was the first capable of landing with skis or wheels on snow, ice or dirt strips (8:03). They were to pick up 400 tons of supplies at McMurdo base and deliver them to the South Pole (8:13). The C130s were to land at a site 10 miles from the nearest settlement due to the lateness of summer and unstable terrain (8:47). A mini city constructed by Naval personnel to remain on watch is depicted (9:12). The mess hall is shown as it was the first to be constructed (9:31). Meals here are served around the clock due to extended daylight hours (9:41). The main supply base is McMurdo (9:54) and its Main Street USA is shown (10:22). As well as the first operation center of the Antarctic which had been preserved since 1909 (10:35). A spread of penguins waddle about and they were the only land animals to survive land conditions (10:48). Scott base, which had been named for the fallen Robert Scott, is shown (12:09). The sled dog was once a main travel source (12:52) yet by now had been mainly replaced by machinery. A leopard seal which was once their meal rolls around in the snow (13:59). The Lockheed C-130 demonstrates its capabilities in quick loading as it was necessary to move fast in unpredictable weather conditions (15:41). Men go over the ever-changing schedule and 3 planes are left to wait for the weather to clear (16:49). Most of the men spent the waiting period relaxing, playing cards or conducting religious ceremonies (18:14). Propellers start up as the weather breaks (19:14). A C-130 flies 2,400 feet above the ground and a view from within is given (21:09). In a Lockheed Vega, Herbert Williams made the first flight over Antarctica in 1928 (21:17). A moment of history follows as the C-130 takes to the landing strip for the first time (22:04). This initiated the beginning of an unending supply line to the South Pole (22:58). The 19 scientists and Navy men step out to greet the plane’s landing (23:38) and they all begin unloading as it must be completed in 15 minutes before the next plane was to arrive (25:18). Due to heavy snow, the buildings here must be periodically updated (25:31) and fully stocked survivor huts were located a ¼ mile away (25:46). The film nears its end, and the South pole which is made of bamboo is shown (25:52). Credit screens follow (27:17) and it had been produced by Robert Strikland.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com