Jeff Maynard

More proof - if any was needed - that many of the explorers who lived on their reputations for heroic endeavour were driven more by ego and just plain craziness than any abstract desire to advance human knowledge. Hubert Wilkins was genuinely brave and innovative - take for example his intention to sail a derelict ex World War 1 submarine beneath the Arctic ice (and certain death for him and his crew who sensibly mutinied). But all that said, he was on the right side of history in his belief that aviation (and submarines) would reveal more of Poles than the sled hauling that had ruled the day up until then. Mostly though, it's part of a the very little known story of Australia's involvement in Polar exploration, and a moral tale about the pursuit of celebrity.… (more)