October 22, 2022
Information from U.S. Army Transportation Museum
Helicopter, Utility, UH-1B, Tail # 61-788
US Army Aviation Detachment - Antarctic Support.
Operation Deep Freeze.
Tail number 61-788 was one of three US Army UH-1B's to make the first rotary wing flight to the Geographic South Pole, landing there February 4, 1963. The unit was based out of Fort Eustis.
The UH-1B was selected because its smaller profile allowed it to be fit into the cargo holds of Air Force cargo jets with less disassembly than older helicopters like the H-34.
Army Aviation would continue to provide support thru the 1960's though the B models would be replaced by the more powerful D/H models.