Antarctic's first plane found in ice

[Heater]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/antarctics-first-plane-found-in-ice-1856789.html


Rare things happen once in a blue moon, and on New Year's Day a blue moon, coupled with an exceptionally low tide, uncovered a long-sought treasure in the frozen wastes of Antarctica: one of the world's earliest aeroplanes, entombed in ice for decades.

The plane – the first off the Vickers production line in Britain – was built in 1911, only eight years after the Wright brothers executed the first powered flight. It was taken to Antarctica by Douglas Mawson, the Australian explorer, but abandoned in 1914 after its engine seized up during attempts to use it as an "air tractor", or motorised sledge........ follow the link for the rest

[Masherbrum]

Good story. 

[Grayeagle]

I dunno .. is it a 'plane' if it has no wings?

-grin-

[Ripsnort]

Air tractor (pretty cool concept actually. Except for the roll cage  )

There is a good link here with more pics, as recent as 1978: Aviation Forums

[PK1Mw]

Amazing how after all these years it's still there in the shape its in. Unreal.

[Grayeagle]

*gasp* .. no ear protectors, no head cover, no parka .. o wait .. that's back when Men were Men and planes were .. well .. junk.

carry on

[Ruler2]

*gasp* .. no ear protectors, no head cover, no parka .. o wait .. that's back when Men were Men and planes were .. well .. junk.

carry on