Boats - Sailing - Ships
Mar. 27 Antarctic Observation Ship Becomes An Aircraft Carrier. The Japanese Antarctic observation ship Soya 3 which has been reconstructed into an aircraft carrier for helicopters, at a cost of L. 130, 000 (sterling), will leave Tokyo next month for the Antarctic, and will winter locked in the ice at the Showa Base of Ongal Island. From there helicopters will fly a shuttle service from the expedition base carrying men and dogs as supplies. The 2790 tons ship has now a 156 square foot flight deck which will allow a large Sikorsky S.58 helicopter to land and take off. The ship has been fitted with a special chrome steel propeller to withstand he shock of striking thick ice. Her speed is 12 knots, and she can open a passage through ice 1.2 metres thick. OPS:- The re-constructed Soya 3 takes on supplies at Tokyo docks ready for her departure on Nov 11, via Singapore and Cape Town for the Antarctic
