Artwork from iconic Australian artist, Ken Done will adorn a new fleet of Antarctic tractors being rolled out in search of million-year-old ice this summer.
The first of the five tractors has already been loaded onto a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C17A Globemaster plane in Hobart, ready to fly south to Australia’s glacial runway, Wilkins Aerodrome.
Director of the Australian Antarctic Division, Kim Ellis said Mr Done’s colourful art works on the side of the tractor bonnets embodied the Australian spirit.
“The vibrant designs capture iconic Australian scenes such as the beach, reef, gum trees and outback,” Mr Ellis said.
“This imagery will provide a much needed sensory stimulus and slice of home to the Australian expeditioners, as they travel through an entirely white and stark landscape.”
He said the tractors would lead a traverse train, including three snow groomers and sleds carrying supplies, accommodation and scientific facilities.
“The first trip will be a 1,200-kilometre journey inland to little Dome C, to support scientists drilling for an ice core dating back more than a million years,” Mr Ellis said.
“At the deep field sites there are often multiple countries working on the one project, with similar tractors and equipment.”
He said that having individually designed vehicles would mean the Australians stood out from the crowd and provided a colourful morale boost during months of isolation.
The project is part of a $45 million Government plan to re-establish an overland traverse capability in Antarctica.
