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Sir Edmund Hillary's Tractor - Artefact of the Month; February 2008. This tractor was used by Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) to cross the Antarctic. In 1957-1958 he was involved in the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, whose objective was to make the first overland crossing of Antarctica. It was led by Sir Vivian Fuchs with Sir Edmund leading a supply support team. Fuchs led his team from Shackleton Base to Scott Base carrying out research along the way. Hillary and his team, using converted Massey Ferguson tractors such as this, established a line of supply depots from Scott Base to the South Pole in support of the main expedition. Hillary was not supposed to go to the Pole, but saw the opportunity to beat the British, reaching the pole on 3 January 1958. His was the third party to do so by overland journey, and it was the first time vehicles had ever reached the South Pole. Fuchs met Hillary at the Pole and Hillary drove them back to Scott Base.
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