Southwest Bombers & Rotors

[RickIngham]

It's been a mad couple of months...making the most of the sun and recently becoming single (I blame the helicopters!) so thought I'd share a few snaps (56!) taken whilst out and about.

First up it has to be Fairford's Global Strike deployment...who would have thought it

1IMG_80291 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

2IMG_0246 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

3IMG_8697 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

4IMG_1079 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

5IMG_8319 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

These guys were great! Spent about 3 hours talking to the public and posing for pictures with children - great public relations!
6IMG_1164 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

7IMG_0903 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

8IMG_8243 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

9IMG_9985 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

10IMG_7779 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

11IMG_7979 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

Then it's the RAF's brand new Chinook HC6:

12Boeing Chinook HC6 - ZK552 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

13Boeing Chinook HC6 - ZK552 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

Israeli's at Brize:

14Lockheed C-130H Hercules - 428 - Israeli Air Force by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

15Lockheed C-130H Hercules - 435 - Israeli Air Force by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

And the usual riff raff:

16Boeing Chinook HC4 - ZA682 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

17Westland Lynx AH9A - ZE375 - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

18Boeing Chinook HC3 - ZH902 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

19Boeing Chinook HC4 - ZA704 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

20Westland Seaking HU5 - XV666/21 - Royal Navy by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

21Westland Gazelle AH1 - XX405 - D&T Unit - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

22Eurocopter SA330SM+ Puma HC2 - XW232 - QinetiQ by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

23Westland Lynx AH9A - ZE375 - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

24Westland Apache AH1 - ZJ214 - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

25Westland Gazelle AH1 - XX405 - D&T Unit - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

26Boeing Chinook HC3 - ZH902 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

27Westland Seaking HU5 - XV666/21 - Royal Navy by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

28Boeing Chinook HC4 - ZA682 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

29Westland Seaking HU5 - XV666/21 - Royal Navy by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

30Westland Seaking HC4 - ZE427/K - Royal Navy by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

31Westland Apache AH1 - ZJ214 - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

32Westland Lynx AH7 - ZD274/M - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

33Westland Merlin HC3 - ZJ119/C - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

34Eurocopter SA330SM+ Puma HC2 - XW232 - QinetiQ by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

35Boeing Chinook HC4 - ZA675 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

36Westland Gazelle AH1 - XX405 - D&T Unit - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

37Westland Apache AH1 - ZJ214 - AAC by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

38Boeing Chinook HC3 - ZH904 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

39Westland Seaking HU5 - XV651 - QinetiQ by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

40Westland Merlin HC3A - ZJ992/AB - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

41Boeing Chinook HC4 - ZA675/AE - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

42Westland Merlin HC3 - ZJ128/M - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

43IMG_8503 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

44IMG_8307 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

45IMG_8900 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

46IMG_8700 by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

47Bell 212 Jungle Winching by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr



Now my favourite two moments of this year so far - with a massive thanks to mother nature!

48Westland Merlin HC3A - ZJ998/AE - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

49Westland Merlin HC3A - ZJ998/AE - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

50Westland Merlin HC3A - ZJ998/AE - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

51Westland Merlin HC3A - ZJ998/AE - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

52Westland Merlin HC3A - ZJ998/AE - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

53Westland Merlin HC3A - ZJ998/AE - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

54Boeing Chinook HC2 - ZH894 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

55Boeing Chinook HC2 - ZH894 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

56Boeing Chinook HC2 - ZH894 - RAF by RickInghamPhotography.co.uk, on Flickr

[Bartek]

It is always a plesure to watch your "updates"
Sunset shots stand out for me.

[Blackbird]

Superb set - the sunset and rainbow shots are absolutely outstanding

Is there a visible difference between the Chinook HC3 and the new HC6?

Andy

[wv383]

Superb set - the sunset and rainbow shots are absolutely outstanding

Is there a visible difference between the Chinook HC3 and the new HC6?

Andy

As far as I can see, the only external difference is the change to a fully matt and slightly lighter colour

[wv383]

Superb! Anyone would think you liked helicopters!

[RickIngham]

Thanks all.
There are less antennas on the spine but that is the only visual difference i can find between the HC4 and HC6's...which of course is the aim of the game as the RAF want to standardise the fleet! Currently they have HC2, HC2A, HC3, HC4, HC5, HC6!

[jonny7]

Wow, it reminds me of a pub I knew, "The first and last", are brilliant and in between opening and closing a great time was had ..

[Thumper]

An absolutely stunning set of images, really special particularly the rainbow and sunset shots. I love the technical/precision landings from the Chinook and the Lynx!

[Airwolfhound]

Your photos never fail to impress, Rick, incredible series of shots

[HaveQuick2]

Superb set - the sunset and rainbow shots are absolutely outstanding

Is there a visible difference between the Chinook HC3 and the new HC6?

Andy

Yes, massive difference. The HC3 has the fatter fuselage fuel tanks, and the longer nose.
The HC6 has the same stubby nose and slimmer fuselage tanks as the HC2 and HC4.

Great pictures as ever Rick.

[IanH]

Thanks all.
There are less antennas on the spine but that is the only visual difference i can find between the HC4 and HC6's...which of course is the aim of the game as the RAF want to standardise the fleet! Currently they have HC2, HC2A, HC3, HC4, HC5, HC6!

Lovely set Rick. Very good shooting indeed.

As for the differences (antennae ignoring tanks), between 4 and 6, its marginal. Two pitot tubes on left hand front as you look face on to the 6, one on the four....I believe. That is pretty well it. Cockpit is the main difference inside but once digital conversion complete across the fleet, they`ll be pretty similar. Hope this helps.

Regards, ian

[rdchawk]

Well simply err......wow what a brilliant thread of tremendous photos

[Jeff Hunt]

Words do not describe some of these pics. Outstanding set.

Cheers,

Jeff

[bigcrow]

Outstanding shooting... Great to catch up last week at Fairford mate..

[Phil Standfield]

As always a well captured set. Plenty of stunners in there but perhaps the sunset ones just sneak it. Thanks for taking the trouble to show us how it's done.
Stan

[RickIngham]

Thank you everyone. It's been a great year already... Hopefully see some of you about in the next couple of months!