Hägglund Ride
On the 19th September 1999
The Christchurch International Antarctic centre started a new tourist attraction with the
commencement of a "Hägglund Ride".
A Hägglund is a tracked vehicle developed
in Sweden for use on snow and ice. It runs on rubber tracks and comprises two or more
articulated units which can climb very steep terrain and yet have a very light
"Footprint" enabling them to cross thin ice. Hägglunds are also air tight and
can float in water and with their tracks have an amphibious capability. They are not
cheap. the Antarctic Centre machine cost US$250,000. |
 The
Antarctic Centre's manager with mascot in front of the Hägglund |
This picture shows people including the
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jenny Shipley, on the Hägglund VIP ride watching a USAF
Galaxy aircraft land.
|
 |
The picture at left shows
the Hägglund traversing a lake with the New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley in the
left front passenger seat. |
| The Antarctic Centre's Hägglund was
commissioned by Sir Edmund Hillary (shown at right) and is named after him. It has
the name plaque as shown below on its front 
|
|
Hägglund 1. 1999 Sept 19 cover carried on Inaugural Ride with Ross Dependency stamp. Price US$2
Hägglund 2. 1999 Sept 19 cover as above but diff design and signed by Hägglund
Driver. Price US$5
This is the Hägglund driver Nick Boniface
who has signed the cover above.
Hägglund 3. 1999 Sept 19th cover as previous design but not signed. Price US$2
Hägglund 4. 1999 Sept 19 carried cover as previous but with USAF "Galaxy" in
design. Price US$2
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