Antarctic aircraft 1955–69
A range of RAAF aircraft, including a DC3 Dakota, was also based year round at Mawson from 1956-63. The planes were used extensively and successfully to survey over a million square kilometres of AAT, including the vast and remote Prince Charles Mountains.
These years were not without mishap. Blizzards destroyed a range of aircraft stationed on the plateau inland from Mawson. Casualties included two DeHavilland Beavers in late December 1959 at Gwamm.
An RAAF Douglas Dakota was delivered to Mawson on board the Thala Dan in January 1960, to be used in conjunction with a DeHavilland Beaver. Unlike the Beaver, the Dakota was suitable for aerial photography.Shortly after being re-assembled, the Dakota was damaged in a handling mishap, and effectively out of action until 7 August. After a disappointing output, both aircraft were repositioned at Rumdoodle near Mawson, in readiness for operations the following summer. Unfortunately, a blizzard which raged from 8-11 December completely destroyed both planes.
These losses signalled the end of the year-round operations of the RAAF Antarctic Flight. Henceforth, they would only fly during the summer season, and operate on floats from a ship.
Due to ANARE's increasing use of helicopters, first deployed during 1958, and Australia's commitment of defence resources to the war in Vietnam, 1963 was the last year of RAAF involvement in ANARE.Commercial fixed wing aircraft were chartered for support work until 1974. A turbine powered Beaver aircraft was used until 1968-69, when it was replaced with the more adaptable Pilatus Porter until 1975-81. One of the last of the Porters met the same fate as its predecessors in a blizzard at Gwamm in January 1975.
