Arizona Aviation Photographers (AzAP)

RAF Merlins...


I could not find a thread/topic already started for the AW101/EH101; so I started this one. If I've missed another, please feel free to move these images to the appropriate location.

Very cool Jeff!  Fine work my friend.

Jeff, that second shot is making me wish I had three POTM nominations instead of two.  The whole set is outstanding, but that second shot is tack-sharp, perfectly-lit, and dynamic like whoa.

Thank you gentlemen, I was very lucky to get this opportunity.

Jeff, an amazing set my friend. Where did you catch these guys? I've been waiting for the British when they fly out of Gila Bend, but they haven't been there in awhile.

Quote from: Tower Guy on November 15, 2012, 10:44:14 PM
Jeff, an amazing set my friend. Where did you catch these guys? I've been waiting for the British when they fly out of Gila Bend, but they haven't been there in awhile.

Thanks Harvey for the kind words. I was able to shoot them the day before our El Centro photocall last month. I heard rumor they were at Nellis recently.

Great opportunity that yielded awesome results Jeff!! 

Wow Jeff, amazing opportunity and truly awesome photos!

Thank you Chris & Matt - I surely was fun.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/10478265336_2e45675c49_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_pasley/10478265336/)
AgustaWestland EH-101 Merlin Royal Danish Air Force M-510 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_pasley/10478265336/) by Pasley Aviation Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chris_pasley/), on Flickr

Kinda bugged by the Merlin pics I saw, I found the need to show one of my favourite Merlin shots..

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/10498733044_f077ff24d4_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79988143@N02/10498733044/)
MM81636/2-21   EH101-410UTY    1 GRUPELICOT (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79988143@N02/10498733044/) by Bjorn vd Flier (http://www.flickr.com/people/79988143@N02/), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/14320467467_f52582facb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nPs94v)

MONARCH OF ALL I SURVEY
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845 NAS at Twentynine Palms earlier this year.  From my article on 845's recent conversion to the Merlin in the December issue of AFM. 

THE DESERT SEA
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Another one from my article on 845 NAS. 

LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS
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Lt Pete Crease, 845 Naval Air Squadron's newest Merlin pilot.  Pete was my escort during my visit to Twentynine Palms to cover the Royal Navy/Royal Marines det there last year.  Between him, the squadron's OPSO, and the Commando Helicopter Force PAO photographer who was assigned to the det, I have never had such a warm welcome while working an article. 

This was my first time using the Pentax Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.2 on a for-real shoot.  Really dig that lens, thanks to Jeff and Scott for getting me hooked on it.  It's now my go-to lens for statics and portraits. 

When  I was shooting Pentax I had the Takumar 50mm 1.2 and it was my go to lense next to the 135mm which was an awesome Takumar lense.  This is a very nice capture Joe.  Well done.

JUNGLIE GREEN GIANT
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"All the Merlins previously operated by the Royal Air Force were recently turned over to the Royal Navy as the latter retired it's Westland-built Sea King HC.4 Commando fleet."

Yup.  This was shot in 2015 when 845 NAS was just a few months into the transition from the Commando Sea King.  Interestingly, about half the squadron was RAF at the time - pilots, aircrewmen, and engineers. Pretty sure both 845 and 846 are 100% Navy personnel now.

Unfortunately, the Royal Navy is painting its 'green' (Navy helicopters assigned to Commando Helicopter Force, which is tasked primarily with supporting 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines) Merlins gray.  Not a popular decision at all.

Thanks for the additional background and new image.  The two Merlin images I posted are old shots that I never processed.  I liked the way they turned out and thought both might be good enough to be posted on the AZAP pages.  I hope all is well with you.  I did see several of you images will scanning through aviation magazines at Barnes and Noble recently.  Congrats and well done.  The images were spectacular.   I will be making a trip back to Arizona in September for my College Football Team's 50 Reunion (Yes, I actually did play college football).   Susie and I will be there most of the month, so maybe I'll be able to participate in an AZAP shoot if you have one scheduled.  All the best from the Low Country of South Carolina. 

Oh, excellent.  As it gets closer, let me know what dates you'll be in town and I'll see if we can set something up, or at least meet for some outside-the-fence shooting somewhere.

Love the two recent Merlin shots too - very in-your-face.

URBAN JUNGLIE
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An 845 NAS Merlin over the Combined Arms Military Operations in Urban Terrain (CAMOUT) range at Twentynine Palms.  Hands-down the most impressive training facility I've ever seen. 

Nice capture Joe.