Built new for the US Navy in 1953 as an early warning platform, it was transferred to VX-6 in 1964 and used in ‘Operation Deep Freeze’ the USARP program in Antarctica.
The distances involved operating down to the Pole and the harsh conditions once there, made it a dangerous business.
On the 8th October 1970, with 80 passengers and crew aboard, Pegasus left Christchurch NZ, for the two and a half thousand mile trip down to the ice.
But once beyond the ‘point of no return,’ the weather at McMurdo began to deteriorate steadily. By the time Pegasus arrived, visibility was down to zero and 40mph winds were blowing straight across the ice runway.
With no where else to go, the crew carried out 6 instrument approaches, in the whiteout conditions, without success. Due to their fuel state, a landing off the 7th approach had become a certainty, regardless of outcome.
It didn’t go well. After touchdown, the right wheel hit a snow drift, which ripped the wing off at the root.
5 aboard were injured, but all 80 survived. However, Pegasus was finished
After being salvaged for spares, the wreck was left at Williams Field, McMurdo. where it became a magnet for visitors. one of which was
my cousin Mike Bradstock (hanging out the door), who after spending two summers down on the ice in the 80's, returned with these shots of the wreck (and the magneto panel).
so i've known about the wreck for many years and even though the polar ice
is slowly entombing what remains for all eternity, this is how i prefer to remember Pegasus
flying over Canterbury, where i grew up
and parked just accross from the aeroclub where i first leant to fly
colours: gull grey, white, red, black and silver. all decals except the stars and bars from scratch.
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