Delta Bus Specs

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” ~~Mark Jenkins

So a lot of friends and family as well as acquaintances have asked what I’ll be doing at the bottom of the world. I thought I’d go ahead and dedicate a post to the where/how/what behind the drive to go to Antarctica. Some of the following information will be taken from other sources; however, I’ll do my best to keep it to a “Fran original.”

Thanks for reading!

The Wikipedia Definition: Antarctica—(ant·arc·ti·ca /antˈärktikə/): is Earth's southernmost continent, encapsulating the South Pole. It is situated in the Antarctic region of the Southern Hemisphere, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. At 5.4 million sq mi, it is the fifth-largest continent in area after Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. For comparison, Antarctica is nearly twice the size of Australia.

The definition that I like to refer to: Antarctica is the highest, driest, coldest, windiest, and emptiest place on Earth.

Brrr…sends a chill down my spine. A chill of excitement and anticipation that is!

Antarctica Facts:

• An ice sheet covers approximately 98% of Antarctica.
• At its thickest point the ice sheet is nearly 3 miles deep.
• This ice is approximately 90% of all the world's ice (by volume) and is 70% of all the world’s fresh water.
• There are many penguins and abundant sea life along the coast – but there is little life on the continent, and there are no indigenous people.

And just to set the record straight. THERE ARE NO POLAR BEARS ON ANTARCTICA!! Antarctica is as my geologist friends Justin and Reid say, “The land of no bears.”

Antarctic Temperatures:  

• During the austral summer, temperatures at McMurdo Station may reach as high as a balmy 50°F, while at South Pole Station; the summer temperature may reach minus -0.4°F. 

• Palmer Station has a milder climate, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 55°F.

The myth behind the abundance of and or lack thereof of light:

• Much of the area above 66.5 degrees South enjoys one long day and one long night each year – with weeks of sunrise and sunset in between.  
• There are spectacular displays of aurora australis (southern lights) during the winter darkness.

Who Owns Antarctica:

• No nation owns Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty, which has been signed by 48 countries, reserves the area south of 60 degrees South as a zone for the peaceful conduct of research.

The Size of Antarctica:

• The continent is roughly 5.4 million sq. mi.  
• The United States is smaller at 3.6 million sq. mi.
• The area of sea ice around Antarctica varies from 1 million sq. mi. in summer to 7.7 million sq. mi. in winter.
• The distance from Washington, D.C., to McMurdo Station is approximately 9,920 mi.

From Alaska to Antarctica (The Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle) the distance would approximately be 12,416 miles as the crow flies.

Barrow, AK is one of the northern most cities in the world (It is the northernmost city in the United States) and sits within the range of the Arctic Circle. It is located 320 miles north of the edge of the Arctic Circle and sits roughly 1,300 miles south of the North Pole. Barrow is located 725 air miles from Anchorage. Seward is located 127 miles from Anchorage. I am currently living approximately 852 miles from Barrow, and thus the edge of the Arctic Circle.

McMurdo is 850 nautical miles from the South Pole station.

This is a rough estimate, but I will be traveling roughly 9,414 miles as the crow flies to Antarctica (McMurdo).

Science in Antarctica:

• Antarctica provides excellent conditions for scientific research on such topics as global climate change, ozone changes, UV radiation, earth sciences, glaciology, astronomy, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, marine ecosystems, meteorite studies and biology, among others.

A Brief History (More to come later):

• The existence of Antarctica was only a hypothesis until it was first sighted in 1820-21.  
• No one set foot on the continent until 1895.
• The South Pole was first reached in 1911 and a year-round research station was established in 1956.

Where I will be:

• McMurdo Station!

What my job is:

• Vehicle Operator.
•  I will be located in Terminal Operations based at Building 140, the Movement Control Center (MCC)

The Chain of Command within this department:

• Airfield Terminal Operations Manager has authority over all cargo and passenger movement logistics at McMurdo Station  
• Movement Control Center Supervisor – has authority over all cargo logistics at McMurdo Station
• Supervisor of Vehicle Operations – has authority over all passenger movement at McMurdo station and is acting supervisor of all Vehicle Operators
• Vehicle Operator Senior – has authority to train and supervise Vehicle Operators
• Vehicle Operator (ME—at the bottom of the Totem Pole) – has authority to operate vehicles

My Role:

• I’ll work as an Airfield Taxi.  
• Passenger Taxi.
• Drive to do what they call “pick up’s” and “take to's” for the C-17 transports.
• Pick up’s and take to's for the Kiwi LC-130, SAF (South Africa Air), and Airbus flights.
• Will operate Dispatch.
• Will run the Airfield Shuttle.
• Running Taxi-1 or Taxi-2.
• Will work Courier Service.
• May get the opportunity to do Happy Camper Pickups.
• Night Shift

What I’ll be driving:  

• 12 Passenger Vans  
• Old Navy Delta 2 Buses 

Information on the Delta Buses:

• Maximum Payload: 20,000 lb
• Tare: 24,000 lbs
• GVW: 44,000 lbs
• Maximum Speed: 23.7 mph
• Power @ 2400 rpm: 200 HP
• Ground Pressure: 18 PSI
• Fording Depth: 4' 6"
• Turning Radius 29ft
• Length: 32' 5"
• Width: 10' 8.5"
• Height: 10' 6"

General Description of the Delta:

• The Delta 2 is a two axle, all wheel drive, terra-tired transporter.  
• Utilizing proven power train components and heavy duty center frame steering, this high floatation vehicle provides economic transportation of payloads up to 10 tons in marginal terrain conditions.
• The Delta 2 provides superior "off road" mobility and it can be readily adapted for all chassis mounted equipment.
• It is the ideal mover for logistical support of remote drilling operations, pipeline construction or other specialized projects in problem terrain.

Engine Specs (For you nerds out there):

• Cat 3116 DIT, 200 HP (149 kW) @ 2400 RPM c/w full range governor and electric shut down.

Transmission Specs:

• Clark HR 28420 and Clark converter.
• Full power shift with bi-directional PTO.
• Direct drive hydraulic steering pump.   

Steering Specs:

• Articulated frame for steering, with self-aligning bushings.  
• Steering wheel controlled.

Brakes Specs:

• Parking: Internal transmission brake  
• Service: Totally enclosed wet disc brakes, hydraulic applied on all wheels.

Tires and Wheels Specs:

• Goodyear Super Terra Grip, 66 X 43.00 X 25-10 PR, tubeless.  
• Disc type wheels.  
• Optional 16 ply tundra grip tires.

Differential Specs:

• Rockwell SPRC671 planetary drive.  
• Metal face seals on planet hubs.
• C/W standard spiders and wet disc brakes.

Suspension Specs:

• Front suspension consists of semi-elliptical, multi-leaf springs, full floating and stabilized by torque arms.  
• Rigidly mounted rear axle.

Cab Specs:

• 4 man, cab-forward design with heavy steel exterior, fully insulated and lined.  
• Heavy duty two speed windshield wipers.
• Bostrom Viking T-Bar driver's seat.
• Escape hatch.  
• Full intrumentation: engine water temperature and engine oil pressure gauges, voltmeter, transmission oil temperature and transmission oil pressure gauges, tachometer/hourmeter speedometer/odometer, air pressure gauge and fuel gauge.

Frame Specs:

• Heat treated, high strength alloy steel channel rails.  
• Frame articulated joint with self-aligning ball bushings.
• Bolted construction.

Electrical Specs:

• Two batteries, Delco 1151 (580 CCA).  
• Heavy duty wiring for all-weather operation.
• Alternator is 100 amp, 12 volt.

Air Cleaner Specs:

• Heavy duty dry type, with replaceable element.

Gradeability Specs:

• Side 30% Max. Forward 50% Max

Fuel Capacity Specs:

• Two fuel tanks with a total capacity of 132 U.S. gallons (500 litres).

That is the nitty gritty to it all. There is one thing to keep in mind when referring to all these specs. These are the specs from the 2011 most recent Foremost Model Delta 2.

Foremost Delta 2

What I will be driving is actually a Foremost Delta version from the 1970’s. I have a feeling these vehicles won’t be exactly to what I have just described. But it will give you an idea.

Wish me luck!