Tommy's Lynx Finale

[Tommy]

I've always loved the Lynx, alongside the Gazelle they were the first two helicopters that really got me hooked. I never really could do much to catch as many AH7s before they disappeared, and I didn't want to make the mistake with the AH9s.

(With some very helpful information from Rich gratefully received!) after info was published online about the Lynx stopping at Middle Wallop and Upavon, I was torn between the two, the latter being slightly less of a journey, and not shooting into the sun (not that it mattered in the end!). Late last night I decided to plump for Upavon. Sadly the weather was amazing before and after they arrived, but whilst they were present, a huge cloud plugged the sun just as they arrived.

Buuuuuut they are my only shots of "live" AH9s, and I knew that if I didn't make the effort today, I'd kick myself in the years to come.

AH Ops by Tom Jones, on Flickr

The last of the sun fades away over the (bloody freezing!) countryside surrounds
Suspended in a sunbeam by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Bright-Eyes by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Trenchard fLines by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Order of Battle by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Niner Flier by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Westland Wanderer by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Full Stop by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Honour Guard by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Cat D by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Up Awavon by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Valhalla Calls by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Last growl by Tom Jones, on Flickr

Getting my 2018 off to a very early start!

As per, I'd love some C&C if anyone has any. Thanks for looking.

Tom

[toom317]

That's a nice shot of the 3 in the hover.

[jalfrezi]

Nice shots Tommy, the light doesn't look too bad on some of them.

[stevebrodie]

Nice photos, i was stuck in the office and couldnt get over to Shawbury, so missed them

[Ian G]

Lovely set, just a shame about the cloud!!! Wish I'd had chance to nip over to Shawbury but work got in the way unfortunately, very sad!

[wv383]

Nice set Tommy. One thing's been intriguing me seeing all the shots of the farewell. What's the pointy thing on the nose of the AH.9s? Head on it looks like a small black cross but from the side it's pointed. Never seen it on a Lynx before.

[Tommy]

Thanks for the comments, all.

Nice set Tommy. One thing's been intriguing me seeing all the shots of the farewell. What's the pointy thing on the nose of the AH.9s? Head on it looks like a small black cross but from the side it's pointed. Never seen it on a Lynx before.

I stand to be corrected, but its to do with the wire cutters on the airframe. One imagines the black point on the nose either directs a wire below it to the cutter just in front of the two appendages, or above the nose and up to the wire-cutter just above the cockpit.

They're not on (iirc) most of the old AH7 fleet, but I presume given 657's special forces tasks, more low-level flying is required, & the risks of hitting power lines etc is greater?

[SWATCO]

Excellent Tommy, Number 2 is a real corker!