This being my first trip to the frozen continent almost everything is a new experience. From the inquisitive and/or indifferent wildlife[1] to the environment of ice, limited snow and endless rock, to the unique architecture required to survive in said conditions.
But the most striking of all, to me at least, was the plethora of vehicles and plant on Davis station. From diggers and telehandlers (JCBs) that wouldn’t be out of place on any worksite back home and the Polaris and Utes, the mainstay of any farm or tradesperson.
To the more eclectic vehicles of the Modified Log Skidder and Hydrema 20T dump truck[2] which are some of the more unique plant I’ve encountered[3]
Then you move onto the specialized vehicles designed specifically for icy conditions.
The Haggalands or Haggs as they are affectionately known. Of more use during the icy conditions of the Winter season, they’ve been mostly used to ferry expeditioners undertaking survival training[4] or deliver Santa to Station during the stations Christmas celebrations.
Or the Printoth Snow Groomer used to prepare runways during the times the sea ice is open or clear snowdrifts during the winter season.
But these machines are used in icy conditions the world over. What of the vehicles that have been designed to specifically traverse the Arctic content itself?
Well two specific vehicles leap to mind.
The Antarctic Snow Cruiser
This American vehicle built in 1937 weighed 37 tonne and was designed to act as a mobile base for up to four (4) expeditioners exploring the continent. It boasted a supposed 8000 mile range, a proposed speed of 55 miles/h and stores to operate for a year without resupply.
Facilities included a control deck, machine shop, a combination galley and dark room, crew quarters, spare tyre storage and even a top mounted platform designed to carry a spotter plane!
All work, including servicing and repairs were able to be conducted wholly inside the vehicle, meaning the crew never need venture out into the Arctic conditions.
However on arrival to the Antarctic the machine proved a total failure. Almost lost on unloading when a wooden ramp gave way, its massive weight, smooth tyres and underpowered drive train prevented it from gaining traction in the snow and ice and moving at all. Oddly it was found to be able to move slowly backwards but this proved impractical for long distance travel.
Relegated to acting as a stationary laboratory and accommodation block it was ultimately abandoned when Little America, the station it was at, was closed in 1941. Rediscovered in 1946 and again in 1958 both times the vehicle was in remarkably good condition, it being speculated it would have only have required air in the tyres and a servicing to bring it back to life.
Alas this was not to be and again it was abandoned, most likely never to be seen again.
The Kharkovchanka or ‘Woman of Kharkiv’
Designed and built by the Kharkov Transport Engineering Plant in Ukraine it was based off the soviet AT-T ‘Heavy Artillery Tractor, itself a derivative of the T-54 tank.
Fitted to the top of the deck was an enclosed cabin which housed a small kitchen, sleeping for 6-8 expeditioners, a lab and a workshop. It boasted some 900hp, a top speed of 6.8 miles/h and weighed in at 77tonnes (with 2 ski trailers attached).
Designed and built in just under 3 months three (3) vehicles, numbered 21, 22 and 23 were shipped and delivered to Antarctica in 1959. Unlike their US counterpart these vehicle were a qualified success. That same year 22 and 23 along with an AT-T traversed to the geographic south pole and back again, delivering a surprise to the US team based there.
During this trip however there were a number of problems discovered including the fact that having the engine inside created excessive noise issues and covered everything in exhaust soot!
Nevertheless these vehicles would go on to provide some 20 years service until, in 1975, a 2nd generation of the vehicle was designed and built. Both versions would go on to serve until 2010s.
This service is recognized in the Antarctic by monument HSM-92 (69°22′41″S 76°22′59″E) consisting of the Kharkovchanka 22 restored to its original colour scheme and, though I won’t be able to visit it this trip, I’ll do my darndest to try to get there in my follow-up seasons!
References:
"The Snow Cruiser"-Antarctica's Abandoned Behemoth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR0M7KjnJTE)
Antarctic Snow Cruiser – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Snow_Cruiser)
"Kharkovchanka" - The Colossal Soviet Antarctic Cruisers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6R-h06IsJw)
Kharkovchanka – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharkovchanka)
Antartic Monuments – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historic_Sites_and_Monuments_in_Antarctica)
[1] Only rivalled by the inhabitants of the Galapagos Isles for their indifference to human presence.
[2] This is actually used as the carrier for the rather effective Swedish Archer Artillery System
[3] And to be fair I do not frequent construction or mining site so please forgive my ignorance here.
[4] That is until one lost a road wheel and they were reserved for ‘winter’ only travel.
Steve Moy
Davis Station
