Byrd and his dog Igloo, unpacking crates, with the City of New York and the Bolling in the background, 1928

Exploration from the Air

Three airplanes were transported to Antarctica. The first, a three-engine Ford, was to be used for the long flight over the South Pole. Byrd named this plane the Floyd Bennett, in honor of his pilot on the North Pole Flight. Bennett died of pneumonia in 1928, a year after he had sustained serious injuries in a test flight of the America. The second plane was a one-engine Fokker named the Virginia. This plane was to be used for rescue and exploration. The third airplane, the Stars and Stripes, was a one-engine Fairchild and had large windows to be used in aerial photography.

Harold June, Commander Byrd, and Bernt Balchen, in front of the Fairchild airplane, Stars and Stripes.

Harold June, Commander Byrd and Bernt Balchen, in front of the Fairchild airplane, Stars and Stripes. Richard E. Byrd Papers, #7764_13

Schematic of the Fairchild.

Schematic of the Fairchild. Richard E. Byrd Papers, #7774_2

Transcription (Google Gemini, 2026):

NX 8006

FAIRCHILD

BYRD

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

FAIRCHILD AIRPLANE

used by Commander Richard E. Byrd on his Antarctic Expedition

  1. Folding wing
  2. Wind driven generator
  3. 260 gallons gasoline in wings
  4. Window for sextant readings
  5. Radio antenna for transmitting
  6. Radio antenna and wind cone
  7. 400 H.P. "Wasp" engine
  8. Cabin heater
  9. Earth induction compass, turn and bank indicator, rate of climb indicator, air speed indicator, altimeter, aperiodic compass, tachometer, clock
  10. Automatic fire extinguisher
  11. Gun rack
  12. Map case
  13. 75 gallon gas tank
  14. Fairchild mapping camera
  15. Stool
  16. View finder
  17. Window for photographing obliques
  18. Table
  19. Radio sending and receiving set
  20. Drop radio antenna and reel
  21. Gasoline generator for radio transmitter
  22. Skis
  23. Compass wind driven generator
  24. Tail ski

Plane also equipped with dual control, landing lights, flying lights, ice warning thermometer and flares

Victim of the wind's fury, the Fokker after it was destroyed by a blizzard at the base of the Rockefeller Mountains, 1929.

Victim of the wind's fury, the Fokker after it was destroyed by a blizzard at the base of the Rockefeller Mountains, 1929. Richard E. Byrd Papers, 7763_4.

Crew members dig out the Floyd Bennett from its snowy hangar, 1929.

Crew members dig out the Floyd Bennett from its snowy hangar, 1929. Richard E. Byrd Papers, #7763_18.

The planes had to be assembled once the expedition reached Antarctica. This image shows Byrd and his dog Igloo, unpacking crates, with the City of New York and the Bolling in the background, 1928.

The planes had to be assembled once the expedition reached Antarctica. This image shows Byrd and his dog Igloo, unpacking crates, with the City of New York and the Bolling in the background, 1928. Richard E. Byrd Papers, 7773_18.

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