The A.R.A. Transport "01 de mayo" carried out its 4th Antarctic Naval campaign in January-March 1942, under the command of Frigate Captain Alberto J. ODDERA. It carried on board a naval aircraft, a 76-D1 stearman, registration "1-E-41", equipped with two floats that transformed it into a hydro, an RT transceiver and a radiogoniometer. The aircraft was piloted by Frigate Lieutenant Eduardo LANUSSE, its mechanic was Corporal Aeronautical Erik BLOMQUIST, and its photographer was Corporal 1st Class Antonio Silva. Having arrived at the operating theater on February 7, 1942, it was lowered to the waters of Puerto Foster (Deception Island) and there it carried out the first Antarctic flight of an Argentine aircraft, photographing Deception Island from the air, especially the areas of Rada Buen Tiempo and Caleta Péndulo.
Technical Specifications
Manufacturer: Stearman Aircraft, a division of Boeing Airplane Company.
Origin: United States of America.
Purpose: Advanced flight training.
Crew: Two.
Propulsion: One 320 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr. T1B engine.
Two-bladed Hamilton Standard variable-pitch propeller.
Dimensions: Wingspan: 9.85 m, Length: 7.35 m, Height: 2.79 m
Weight: Empty weight: 1050 kg, maximum weight: 1601 kg
Speed: 244 km/h
Range: 895 km
Armament: 2 x .303 caliber Colt MG-40 machine guns with 700 rounds and 2 x 45.36 kg bombs or 5 x 11.34 kg bombs
Identification: E-40 to E-49, 2-Gc-1 to 2-Gc-3, 3-Gc-1/3, 1-E-20 to 1-E-24
Quantity: Sixteen aircraft
Period of service: 1936 to 1949