1971, 27 April

CAMPBELL ISLAND

Sub-Antarctic base air drop by a Lockheed Orion of No 5 Squadron, RNZAF, while on a normal fisheries surveillance patrol. The aircraft operated from Christchurch Airport.

Internal Flight: 1971, 16 May

1971, 17 June

CAMPBELL ISLAND

Sub-antarctic base airdrop by Lockheed Orion of No 5 Squadron, RNZAF, operating from the Christchurch Airport. Mail for base staff dropped.

1971, 25 June

CAMPBELL ISLAND

Sub-antarctic base air drop of mail by Lockheed Orion NZ4203 of No 5 Squadron, RNZAF. The aircraft was operating a normal fisheries surveillance patrol from Christchurch Airport.

Internal Flight: 1971, 20 Aug.

1971, 1 October

CAMPBELL ISLAND

Sub-antarctic base air drop of mail by Lockheed Orion of No 5 Squadron, RNZAF while on fisheries surveillance patrol from Christchurch Airport.

Internal Flights: 1971, 24-25 Oct. / 1972, 5 Apr. / 1972, 27 Apr.

1972, 1-4 June

AIR NEW ZEALAND COMMENCED DOUGLAS DC-8 FLIGHTS

Through Wellington Airport:

1 June. FIt.TE365. Wellington-Sydney ZK-NZE (Captain KG. Vette, Captain R.L Johnson) 154.6kg of mail carried.

2 June. FIt.TE382. Melbourne-Wellington ZK-NZG (Captain J.G. Kennedy, Captain G.R.B. Highet) 32.7kg of mail (2 bags from Melbourne plus 1 bag from Hobart)

2 June. FIt.TE385 Wellington-Melbourne ZK-NZG (Captain A.W. Jones) 36.3kg of mail (2 Bags).

4 June. FIt.TE8OS. Wellington-Brisbane ZK-NZE (Captain N.B. Crosbie) 1.1kg of mail.

Internal Flights: 1972, 7 June / 1972, 7 June / 1972, 27-28 Nov.

1972, 3, 8 December

QANTAS INTRODUCED THE BOEING 747B

To the Tasman routes, Sydney-Christchurch-Sydney and Sydney-Auckland-Sydney. All these first flights were worked by VH-EBA.

3 Dec: Sydney-Christchurch & return
8 Dec: Sydney-Auckland & return

1973, 3 February

AUCKLAND-SYDNEY AND RETURN

Air New Zealand introduced the Douglas DC-10 "Tri-Jet" ZK-NZL on the trans-Tasman service. Souvenir covers were prepared by Air NZ for the flight and a special datestamp was used at the Chief Post Office, Auckland.

1973, 7 February

AUCKLAND-NANDI

Air New Zealand inaugurated its Douglas DC-10 service to Fiji but carried no mail on the outward flight. DC-10 ZK-NZL worked this service. On the return flight one bag of mail containing letters postmarked NADI AIRPORT FIJI 7 FEB 73 was carried to Auckland and backstamped on the 8th. Mail from N.Z to Fiji was not flown on this service until 13 February.

Internal Flights: 1973, 16 Feb. / 1973, 20-22 Feb.

1973, 13 March

AUCKLAND-NANDI

Air New Zealand began carrying mail by Douglas DC-10 on this route when "Tri-Jet" ZK-NZG inaugurated the service. Covers postmarked AUCKLAND F.M.B. 13 MR 73.6PM were backstamped NADI AIRPORT-FIJI 13 MR.

1973, 2 April

AUCKLAND-NANDI-HONOLULU-LOS ANGELES

Air NZ Douglas DC-b "Tri-Jet" ZK-NZL (Captain LR. Gemmell) inaugurated this service. A large rectangular special postmark was applied at Auckland on 2 April and covers were backstamped on the same date at Los Angeles Air Mail Facility. The first Air NZ mail from Nandi to Honolulu and Los Angeles was postmarked on the 5th, backstamped Honolulu on the same date and at Los Angeles on 6 April.

2 Apr: Auckland-Honolulu-Los Angeles
5 Apr: Nandi-Honolulu-Los Angeles

1973, 23 April

CHRISTCHURCH-LOS ANGELES

Air NZ Douglas DC-10 "Tri-Jet" commenced this service.

1973, 24 July

AIRCRAFT HIJACKED

Japan Air Lines Boeing 747 JA-8109 was hijacked and destroyed by terrorist bombs at Benghazi Airport, Libya. Mails which were recovered in a charred condition received a cachet and were forwarded to the addressees with a letter of explanation. Letters for N.Z. had been posted in Amsterdam up to 2 June.<6

Internal Flight: 1973, 1 Oct.

1973, 29 October

AUCKLAND-PAPEETE AND RETURN

By Air NZ Douglas DC-10 "Tri-Jet", Covers postmarked Auckland on 28 October were backstamped Papeete on the 29th and those cancelled at Papeete on the 27th were backstamped at Auckland on the 28th.

1973, 30 October

AUCKLAND-SINGAPORE AND RETURN

By Air NZ Douglas DC-10 "Tri-Jet" service. Covers from N.Z. were backstamped SINGAPORE 31OCT73.

1973, 2 November

MELBOURNE-AUCKLAND

First service by Air NZ Douglas DC-10 "Tri-Jet" ZK-NZM.

1973, 2 December

AUCKLAND-RAROTONGA & RETURN

Service by Air NZ Douglas DC-8 ZK-NZM. A large pictorial postmark was struck on outward mail at the Chief Post Office, Auckland on 2 December, and mail was backstamped at Rarotonga, 1 December, the International Date Line intervening.

1974, 30 January

ROYAL FLIGHT

Air NZ Douglas DC-8 ZK-NZC (Captain R.T. Johnson) brought H.M. The Queen,
H.R.H. Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips from Rarotonga to Christchurch, where the Queen later closed the Commonwealth Games. No mail is known.

Internal Flights: 1974, 1 Apr. / 1974, 1 Apr.

1974, 4 April

CHRISTCHURCH-NANDI AND RETURN

Air NZ Douglas DC-8 service with ZK-NZE.

1974, 25 May

TONGA-AUCKLAND AND RETURN

Air Pacific BAC One-Eleven DQ-FBY (Captain N. Ganley) inaugurated a regular service. 18kg of mail was carried on this flight.

1974, November-December

CHRISTCHURCH-WILLIAMS FIELD, McMURDO SOUND-CHRISTCHURCH

Supply flights by Lockheed C-130H of No 40 Squadron, RNZAF. The Squadron flew personnel, supplies and mail to and from the NZARP Scott Base in a programme of flights each season. In 1974 a series of "Operation Icecube 10" special covers was carried on different flights and this project was continued annually until "Operation Icecube 16" (1980, Nov. Dec.) Dates shown are from postmarks of the covers posted at Christchurch or Scott Base.

28 Nov. FIt No 839. C-130H NZ7004. Wg Cdr A.E. Thomson.
29 Nov. FIt No 840. C-130H NZ7001. Sqn Ldr LW. Collins.
30 Nov. FIt No 841. C-130H NZ7004. Sqn Ldr P.N. Hitchins.
2 Dec. Fit No 842. C-130H NZ7001. Sqn Ldr LW. Collins.
3 Dec. FIt No 843. C-130H NZ7004. Wg Cdr A.E. Thomson.
5 Dec. Fit No 844. C-130H NZ7001. Fit U B.L Wood.
5 Dec. Fit No 845. C-130H NZ7004. Capt. J.W. Handy.

Internal Flight: 1974, 20 Dec.
Internal Flight: 1975, 10 Mar.

1975, 2-5 April

BRISBANE-CHRISTCHURCH AND RETURN SERVICE

Inaugurated by QANTAS Boeing 747-238B VH-EBH "City of Newcastle" (Captain Neil Anderson). Covers from Brisbane were backstamped on the 2nd. There was no official mail carried on the return flight from Christchurch on the 5th, but some unofficial souvenir covers were carried and were backstamped by QANTAS.

2 April: Brisbane-Christchurch & return (5 April)

Internal Flight: 1975, 3 Apr.

1975, 7 April

CHRISTCHURCH-BRISBANE

DOUGLAS DC-10 service inaugurated by Air NZ. Covers postmarked CHRISTCHURCH -7AP 7511-AM were backstamped at Brisbane on the 8th.

1975, 25 April

CHRISTCHURCH-NANDI

Air NZ replaced the Douglas DC-8 with a Douglas DC-b service. Privately printed souvenir covers postmarked CHRISTCHURCH 25 AP 75 were flown.

1975, 7-9 May

AUCKLAND-LONDON

Via Los Angeles Douglas DC-10 "Tri-Jet" service inaugurated by ZK-NZQ of Air NZ. Flight numbers were TE556 from Auckland to Los Angeles and BA598 from Los Angeles to London.

1975, 1 June

AUCKLAND-NORFOLK ISLAND

QANTAS Douglas DC-4 VH-EDA "Pacific Trader" (Captain W. Tainton) carried out the last flight of the service, under charter to Air NZ.

1975, 4 June

AUCKLAND-NORFOLK ISLAND AND RETURN FLIGHT

By NZNAC F27-500 Friendship ZK-NAN under charter to Air New Zealand.

Internal Flights: 1975, 4 June / 1975, 4 June

1975, 8 July

25 YEARS OF NO 40 SQUADRON RNZAF

To mark the anniversary, five special covers were posted at Whenuapai Air Force Post Office on this date and were subsequently flown on various operations.

Routine Route flights NZ-UK-NZ-Pacific search and rescue mission (Sqn Ldr MJS. Rodger). Flight No NUL 934 by Lockheed C-130H NZ7004.

VIP and routine Route flights NZ-UK-NZ (Sqn Ldr T.W. Collins) Flight No NUL 841. C-130H NZ7003.

Antarctic Supply Flight "Operation Icecube 11" (Captain J.W. Handy). Flight No NML 922. C-130H NZ7002.

"Operation Bullseye" and Tactical Training flight (Sqn Ldr M.J.S. Rodger). Flight No MUSL 860, C-130H NZ700S.

Establishment of N.Z. Embassy in Baghdad (Sqn Ldr P.G. Bevin; FIt Lt D.G. Harris). Flight No NSL 933. C-130H NZ7005.

Internal Flights: 1975, 28 Sept. / 1975, 11 Nov.

1975, November-December

CHRISTCHURCH-WILLIAMS FIELD, MCMURDO SOUND-CHRISTCHURCH

Supply flights by Lockheed C-130H of No 40 Squadron, RNZAF. (See 1974, Nov.-Dec.)

26 Nov. Flt No 920. C-130H NZ7002. Flt Lt R.J. Denniston
28 Nov. Flt No 921. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr P.G. Bevin
29 Nov. Flt No 922. C-130H NZ7002. Capt. J.W. Handy
1 Dec. Flt No 923. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr MJ. Rodger
4 Dec. Flt No 924. C-130H NZ7003. Fit Lt LI. Denniston
3 Dec. Flt No 925. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr P.G. Bevin
5 Dec. Flt No 926. C-130H NZ7002. Capt. J.W. Handy

Internal Flights: 1975, 19 Dec. / 1975, 19 Dec.

1976, 9-12 January

RAROTONGA-AUCKLAND AND VICE VERSA

Air NZ first mail flight by Douglas DC-10 ZK-NZQ from the Cook Islands was made on 9 January but the first Auckland-Rarotonga flight did not take place until 12 January.

9 Jan. Rarotonga-Auckland & return (12 Jan.)

1976, 7 March

AUCKLAND-SINGAPORE AND RETURN

First Non-Stop Air NZ Douglas DC-10 service.

1976, November-December

CHRISTCHURCH-WILLIAMS FIELD, McMURDO SOUND-CHRISTCHURCH

"Operation Icecube 12" flights by No 40 Squadron, RNZAF. (See 1974, Nov.-Dec.)

27 Nov. Flt No 836. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr P.G. Bevin
2 Dec. Flt No 837. C-130H NZ7002. Flt Lt G.J. Fallow
2 Dec. Flt No 838. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr LI. Denniston
3 Dec. Flt No 839. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr P.G. Bevin
4 Dec. Flt No 840. C-130H NZ7003. Flt Lt GJ. Fallow
5 Dec. Flt No 841. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr LI. Denniston
6 Dec. Flt No 842. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr P.G. Devin

1977, 15 February

ANTARCTIC TOURIST OVERFLIGHT

By Air NZ Douglas DC-10 ZK-NZN (Captain LH. Gemmell) from Auckland to McMurdo Sound and return to Auckland via Christchurch, The flight was organised by Star Travel of Dunedin in association with Trans Tours and carried a full complement of 233 passengers and a large special mail which had been sent to Trans Tours office in Christchurch. Covers were struck with a large cachet in blue although some were struck in purple and a few in black. Covers were flown to Auckland to connect with the flight and on the return of the DC-10 were backstamped CHRISTCHURCH N.Z.-15 FE 77.2.

1977, 22 February

THE SECOND AIR NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC TOURIST FLIGHT

Was made by Douglas DC-10 ZK-NZS (Captain P.McA. Grundy) and carried a full list of 233 passengers with Sir Edmund Hillary as tour commentator. No official mail was flown but some covers were carried by courtesy and machine postmarked after the flight CHRISTCHURCH N.Z. - AIRMAIL 11.45PM 22 FEB -1977

1977, November-December

CHRISTCHURCH-WILLIAMS FIELD, McMURDO SOUND-CHRISTCHURCH

"Operation Icecube 13" by No 40 Squadron, RNZAF (See 1974, Nov.-Dec.)

26 Nov. Flt No 944. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr C.W. Adamson
29 Nov. Flt No 945. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr P.G. Bevin
30 Nov. Flt No 946. C-130H NZ7002. Capt. J.H. Happ USAF
3 Dec. Flt No 947. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr C.W. Adamson
7 Dec. Flt No 948. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr P.G. Bevin
8 Dec. Flt No 949. C-130H NZ7003. Capt. J.H. Happ USAF
8 Dec. Fit No 950. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr C.W. Adamson

Internal Flights: 1977, 3 Dec. / 1977, 5 Dec.

1978, 24-27 February

APIA-AUCKLAND AND VICE VERSA

Boeing 737 service commenced jointly by Air NZ and Polynesian Airlines. All services were flown by Boeing 747 ZK-NAP. Covers postmarked Apia on 24 February were backstamped at Auckland on the 25th and have a circular cachet reading FIRST FUGHT - POLYNESIAN AIRLINES BOEING 737 -APIA TO AUCKLAND. The return flight covers were postmarked at Auckland on 27 February and backstamped at Apia the same day.

Internal Flights: 1978, 31 Mar. / 1978, 1 Apr.

1978, 1-2 April

AUCKLAND-HONG KONG NON-STOP

Twice weekly service commenced by Air New Zealand using the Douglas DC-10. This replaced the previous Auckland-Nandi-Hong Kong service.

1978, 19-27 April

SYDNEY-AUCKLAND-CHRISTCHURCH

(Adelaide) flown First Day of Issue Covers of Australian miniature sheet honouring their pioneer airmen. Large special covers franked with the miniature sheet postmarked Sydney International Airport-and flown to Auckland by Air New Zealand and signed by crew. Covers then flown Auckland-Christchurch (Adelaide) by QANTAS. Similar covers were flown only by QANTAS and signed by their crew.

Internal Flights: 1978, 15 July / 1978, 12 Aug.

1978, 9-10 September

WIGRAM-SYDNEY-WIGRAM

Double trans-Tasman flight by Cliff Tait piloting a Fletcher FU-24-950 ZK-USU solo during the Christchurch commemoration of Kingsford Smith's first Sydney to Christchurch flight in 1928. Special covers issued by the Hornby Centennial Committee were postmarked CHRISTCHURCH 9 SP 78 and backstamped WIGRAM 10 SEPT 1978. 1600 covers were flown.

1978, 10 September

SYDNEY-CHRISTCHURCH UNOFFICIAL MAIL

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Kingsford Smith's first trans-Tasman flight from Sydney to Christchurch. Mail was carried by courtesy on QANTAS Flight QFSS1 and the 250 special covers were backstamped Christchurch Airport, 10 September, 1978.

1978, 11 September

CHRISTCHURCH-SYDNEY COMMEMORATIVE

Mail flown by Air NZ from Christchurch-Sydney marking the 50th Anniversary of Kingsford Smith's first trans Tasman crossing. Souvenir covers were carded on the scheduled service which diverted to fly over Blenheim, the take-off point of the "Southern Cross" on the return flight.

1978, 13 October

BLENHEIM-CHRISTCHURCH-SYDNEY

50th Anniversary of Charles Kingsford Smith's return trans Tasman flight from Blenheim to Sydney. A large oval postmark was used at the Chief Post Office, Blenheim, and mail was flown to Christchurch where it was transferred to Air NZ Douglas DC-10 ZK-NZN on the regular scheduled flight to Sydney. The DC-10 diverted to fly over Blenheim before heading across the Tasman Sea.

Internal Flight: 1978, 8 Nov.

1978, 7, 14, 21, 28 November

ANTARCTIC TOURIST OVERFLIGHTS

By Air NZ Douglas DC-10. The route was from Auckland to the sub- Antarctic Islands to McMurdo Sound and return without landing. Souvenir Silk covers, postmarked at Auckland, but carried unofficially by couriers on each flight were backstamped on return with the AIR NEW ZEALAND TRAFFIC OFFICE cachet of the appropriate date. Sheets of six Antarctic vignettes were also issued and many covers have one of these vignettes affixed, while other covers have a large round "Penguin" cachet.

7 Nov. Auckland-Antarctic tourist flight ZK-NZT
14 Nov. Auckland-Antarctic tourist flight ZK-NZR
21 Nov. Auckland-Antarctic tourist flight ZK-NZM
28 Nov. Auckland-Antarctic tourist flight

1978, November-December

CHRISTCHURCH-WILLIAMS FIELD, McMURDO SOUND-CHRISTCHURCH

Antarctic "Operation Icecube 14" supply flights by No 44) Squadron RNZAF (See 1974, Nov.-Dec.)

22 Nov. Flt No 851. C-130H NZ7003. Flt Lt R.J. Robinson
26 Nov. Flt No 852. C-130H NZ7002. Flt Lt RB. Wignall
27 Nov. Flt No 853. C-130H NZ7004. Sqn Ldr T.K. Butler
30 Nov. Flt No 854.C-130H NZ7003.Flt Lt R.J. Robinson
30 Nov. Flt No 855. C-130H NZ7004. Flt Lt R.B. Wignall
4 Dec. Flt No 856. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr T.K. Butler
5 Dec. Flt No 857. C-130H NZ7004. Flt Lt R.J. Robinson
6 Dec. Flt No 858. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr C.W. Adamson
6 Dec. Flt No 859. C-130H NZ7004. Flt Lt R.B. Wignall
7 Dec. Flt No 860. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr T.K. Butler
7 Dec. Flt No 861. C-130H NZ7004. Flt Lt R.J. Robinson
8 Dec. Flt No 862. C-130H NZ7003. Sqn Ldr C.W. Adamson

Internal Flights: 1978, 2 Dec. / 1979, 8,9,10 Mar.

1979, 1-3 May

LOS ANGELES-AUCKLAND TRANS-PACIFIC SERVICE

Inaugurated by Continental Airlines DC-10 N68048 from Los Angles-Honolulu and then splitting into twin routes to Pago Pago-Sydney and to Nandi-Auckland-Sydney. A cachet was supplied to the Los Angeles Post Office by the Airline for use on philatelic covers on the first flights.

Internal Flight: 1979, 20 Aug.

1979, 28 November

CRASH OF AIR NZ DOUGLAS DC-10 ZK-NZP

(Captain J. Coffins) on Mount Erebus in Antarctica. The DC-10 was on an Antarctic Tourist flight from Auckland and all 257 people aboard were killed. Unofficial mail was being carried by a courier, as on previous flights, and it is believed some covers may have been recovered.

1979, November

VILA-AUCKLAND AND RETURN

First Flight By Air Nauru

1979, November-December

CHRISTCHURCH-WILLIAMS FIELD, McMURDO SOUND-CHRISTCHURCH

"Operation Icecube 15" supply flights by No 40 Squadron RNZAF. (See 1974, Nov.-Dec.)

16 Nov. Flt No 926. C-130H NZ7001. Flt Lt R.J. Robinson
17 Nov. Flt No 927. C-130H NZ7005. Capt. S.C. Miller USAF
19 Nov. Flt No 928. C-130H NZ7003. Flt Lt S. Glendinning
19 Nov. Flt No 929. C-130H NZ7001. Capt. S.C. Miller USAF
20 Nov. Flt No 930. C-130H NZ7001. Sqn Ldr F. Roach
21 Nov. Flt No 931. C-130H NZ7001. Flt Lt R.J. Robinson
22 Nov. Flt No 932. C-130H NZ7005. Wg Cdr K. Gayfer
23 Nov. Flt No 933. C-130H NZ7001. Capt. S.C. Miller USAF
24 Nov. Flt No 934. C-130H NZ7001. Sqn Ldr I Braush

1979, 1 December

NAURU-AUCKLAND AND RETURN

First flight by Air Nauru

1980, February

HONIARA-AUCKLAND AND VICE VERSA

Inaugural flights by Air Nauru.

1980, 7-8 June

BUENOS AIRES-AUCKLAND-HONG KONG

And return by Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 747-200 "Jumbo Jet" LV-MLR, making its first commercial flight to N.Z. A commemorative postmark was used at Buenos Aires and some covers have a large four-line cachet in green, reading -'Vuelo Inaugural Transantarctica-BUENOS AIRES-AUCKLAND for HONG KONG-AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS'. Only philatelic mail was carried.

Buenos Aires-Auckland-Hong Kong & return

1980, 5-8 July

TOKYO-NANDI-AUCKLAND AND RETURN

Inaugural flight by Japan Air Lines (JAL) Douglas DC-8-62 JA-8037 "Yashima" (Captain M. Miyamoto). 34 bags of mail weighing 348kg, which included 1,600 souvenir covers, were flown from Tokyo. On the return flight on the 8th, mail weighing 92kg was carried. This was also the first JAL Tokyo-Nandi flight and covers for Fiji were backstamped NADI 5 JULY 1980.

Tokyo-Nandi-Auckland & return 8 July

1980, 1-3 August

AUCKLAND-TOKYO

Air NZ inaugural service by Douglas DC-8 ZK-NZC. The return flight left Tokyo on 2 August. Covers postmarked Auckland 1 August were backstamped TOKYO AP JAPAN WIII 80. Special covers were provided by Air NZ and by private collectors on both flights. Passengers were also presented by Air NZ with a flown cover in a commemorative folder.

Auckland-Tokyo
Tokyo-Auckland
Tokyo-Nandi
Air N.Z. presentation folder and cover

1980, 3 August

TOKYO-NANDI-AUCKLAND

Inaugural Douglas DC-10 service by Japan Air Lines. 34 Bags of mail weighing 342kg were flown. The mail, which was struck with round illustrated cachet, included privately produced covers plus 1,500 souvenir envelopes.

Internal Flights: 1980, 7 Sept. / 1980, 16 Sept.

1980. 27-30 October

BUCHAREST-SINGAPORE-AUCKLAND

To mark the 75th Anniversary of the foundation of the FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) special covers were flown by TAROM (Transporturi Aeriene Romine - Romanian Air Transport) from Bucharest-Singapore and by Singapore Airlines Douglas DC-10 9V-SDD from Singapore-Auckland.

1980, 29 November

BUENOS AIRES-AUCKLAND

Aerolineas Argentinas second commercial flight on the Buenos Aires-Auckland-Hong Kong service Boeing 747-287B LV-OHV carried special mail on which a four-line cachet was struck on private covers, together with a distinctive postmark.

1980, November-December

CHRISTCHURCH-WILLIAMS FIELD McMURDO SOUND-CHRISTCHURCH

"Operation Icecube 16" supply flights by No 40 Squadron RNZAF. This was the final year of this series of covers (See 1974, Nov.-Dec.)

26 Nov. Flt No 851. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr K. Gayfer
1 Dec. Flt No 852. C-130H NZ7002. Capt. S.C. Miller USAF
2 Dec. Flt No 853. C-130H NZ7004. Capt. S.C. Miller USAF
3 Dec. Flt No 854. C-130H NZ7003. Flt Lt A. Russell
4 Dec.Flt No 855. C-130H NZ7004. Sqn Ldr L Braush
5 Dec. Flt No 856. C-130H NZ7002. Flt Lt S. Glendinning
6 Dec. Flt No 860. C-130H NZ7002. Flt Lt S. Glendinning
7 Dec. Flt No 861. C-130H NZ7004. Capt. D. Stone USAF
8 Dec. Flt No 857. C-130H NZ7002. Capt. D. Stone USAF
9 Dec. Flt No 858. C-130H NZ7004. Flt Lt A. Russell
10 Dec. Flt No 859. C-130H NZ7002. Sqn Ldr L Braush
11 Dec. Flt No 862. C-130H NZ7002. Flt Lt A. Russell

A separate cover bearing the signatures of the Captains of the 1980 Icecube flights was postmarked SCOTT BASE 12 DE 801 ROSS DEPENDENCY and flown to Christchurch as part of the set of "Operation Icecube 16" covers.

12 Dec. Cover signed by 6 Captains

1980, 3 December

HOBART-CHRISTCHURCH

HOBART SERVICE inaugurated by Boeing 727-277 VH-RML of Ansett Airways of Australia. A special cachet was applied at the Hobart C.P.O. and covers were backstamped at Christchurch 3 December. The return flight was made on the same day.

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Christchurch,
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