21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
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Lloyd H
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21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Lloyd H »

As some will know I was lucky enough to spend a week with 751 Squadron of the PoAF during the second half of Hot Blade 14, now in its third and final year at Ovar. Again 751 Squadron were fantastic, nothing was too much for them and allowed me a lot of time to get the images. Being a civilian on a military ex had its restrictions, I was confined to flying only with 751 - not that I'm complaining! As with a lot of things not everything went to plan, after we had conducting ground contact training on Tuesday at Sao Jacinto we were sat on the runway when the LH windscreen cracked with a second crack slowly forming as well. The decision was made to route back to Ovar straight and level, after landing safely at Ovar the resulting damage to the screen meant the cab was essentially U/S and ended up being flown straight to Montijo on the Friday. This had a knock on effect sadly, a two ship AW101 Merlin mission on the Wednesday that we would be using to shoot some air to airs was changed to a single cab mission, hey ho! Hopefully the article and photos will be live in mid September, my first written article for a magazine so I'm excited to see it in the print.
During my week there I was lucky enough to fly five 2+ hour missions including an 1v1 evasion sortie against a PoAF F-16AM, something I won't be forgetting anytime soon!

Anyway on with the shots, I hope you've upgraded your internet providings. :whistle:


1.
ImageRNLAF Chinook CH-47D by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

2.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

3.
ImageBelgian Air Force A109BA by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

4.
Image751 Squadron AW101 Merlin Cockpit by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

5.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

6.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

7.
ImageBelgian Air Force A109BA by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

8.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

9.
Image751 Squadron AW101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

10.
Image201 Squadron Falcões F-16AM by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

11.
Image751 Squadron 'Pumas' EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

12.
ImageBelgian Air Force A109BAs by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

13.
ImagePoAF 201 Squadron 'Falcões' F-16AM by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

14.
ImageEsquadra 751 EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

15.
ImageBelgian Air Force A109BA by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

16.
ImageRide Of Your Life by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

17.
ImageWalk Around by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

18.
ImageTeamwork by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

19.
ImageUPF Medevac by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

20.
Image751 Squadron AW/EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

21.
Image751 Squadron 'Pumas' EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

22.
Image751 Squadron AW101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

23.
Image751 Squadron AW101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

24.
Image751 Squadron EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

25.
Image751 Squadron AW/EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

26.
Image201 Squadron Falcões PoAF F-16BM by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

27.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Engine by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

28.
ImageWash Down by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

29.
ImageRAF Puma HC2s & RNLAF CH-47D by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

30.
Image751 Squadron EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

31.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

32.
ImageFocus by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

33.
ImageJTACS by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

34.
ImageUPF Soldier by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

35.
ImageQRF Force by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

36.
ImageBundesheer AB212s by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

37.
ImageTension by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

38.
ImageFocused by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

39.
ImageEsquadra 751 EH101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

40.
Image230 Squadron Puma HC2 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

41.
ImageHEER UH-1Ds by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

42.
ImageNight Vision by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

43.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook Refuel by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

44.
Image751 Squadron AW101 Merlins by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

45.
Image751 Squadron AW101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

46.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

47.
ImageRNLAF CH-47D Chinook by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

48.
Image751 Squadron AW101 Merlin by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

49.
ImageNight Mission by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

50.
Image230 Squadron Puma HC2 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

51.
ImageBelgian Air Force A109BA by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

52.
ImageHEER UH-1D Huey by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

53.
ImageBelgian Air Force A109BA by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

54.
ImageHEER UH-1D Hueys by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

55.
ImageRAF Puma HC2 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

56.
ImageLookout by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

57.
ImageHEER UH-1D Huey by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

58.
ImageRNLAF Maintenance Crew by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

59.
ImageLHP_5101 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr


If you got this far then well done :biggrin:

Thanks for looking, C+C welcome.

Harry_Imp
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Harry_Imp »

Oh my :shock: :shock: 15 and 44 stand out, but what a great set - one of the best I have seen

Harry

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Talldan76
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Talldan76 »

Wow...

sums up my thoughts on this set, some VERY good photos in there. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Dan

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blackcat
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by blackcat »

Amazing set Fella.

Night shots are stunning.

Mark.

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Ewart
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Ewart »

I have been watching these appear in my Fickr thread for the past week.

A fantastic set of photos. Some lovely angles and low light work.

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Ledhead27
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Ledhead27 »

These are epic, particularly like 41 and 44
"PostMan, FuelMan, SpamCan, NoPlan, CivviMan, Dan"

UKAR Party Plane Captain

4 out of 5 baguettes

JohnF
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by JohnF »

Huey shots are fantastic along with the in cockpit ones. Still can't get over how good the Merlin looks in that camo scheme.
Also nice to see the human side represented with some superb close ups of the crew. Quality set :clap:

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urkles
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by urkles »

One of the best posts I have ever seen, extremely well done

Maisie
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Maisie »

#46 & #50 for me :clap: :clap:
6D | 7D | 60D
11-16 f/2.8 | 24-105 IS L | 70-300 IS USM | 50 f/1.4 | 100 f/2.8 | 400 f/5.6

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Lloyd H
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Lloyd H »

Many thanks gents :smile:

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Vixen1
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Vixen1 »

I don't often comment but simply had to log in and say what a stonkingly great set this is. 44 takes it for me too but some of the crew close-ups are brilliant. Fantastic!!!! :clap: :rock: :yahoo:

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Westy
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Westy »

Some great images there - top job :clap:

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GME-AirFoto
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by GME-AirFoto »

:clap: :clap: :clap: brilliant
Really like the editing

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Skyflash
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Skyflash »

One of the most interesting and varied photo threads I've seen on here this year, well done. :clap:
Posting comments on an aviation-related chatroom, are ya? Looks like it an' all...

reheat module
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by reheat module »

Well, you certainly maximised the opportunity afforded to you, these are simply sublime.
Fantastic skill in observing and capturing these.
Excellent pp too, in getting the best from all areas of the images.
Thread shots of the year for me so far.
:clap:
Canon systems

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Lloyd H
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Lloyd H »

Thanks everyone for taking the time to leave comments and feedback, as always it's much appreciated :-)

Airwolfhound
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Airwolfhound »

I seem to remember having a sex-wee when I saw these on Flickr, absolutely stunning Lloyd, congrats :-) :clap: :rock:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24874528@N04/

Agile, mobile and hostile ;-)

Rumwolf
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Rumwolf »

The words "stunning" "brilliant" "imaginative" don't really do these justice. Really, really good photos. Thanks for sharing.

richyrara
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by richyrara »

Real top drawer stuff :clap:

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red_snow
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by red_snow »

Stunning images, not only in content but really sets the mood.

Love the aircraft shots of course but #19 is a cracker.

Thank you for posting.

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Hellfire
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Hellfire »

Solid set Lloyd. Really enjoyed seeing your updates over the last few weeks. Love the crew and PAX photos.

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Lloyd H
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Lloyd H »

Thanks guys :smile:

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Bartek
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Bartek »

Dude, you are fantastic photographer. I love your approach to aircraft and to crews...Nice postprocessing as well. Well done!

Hoseman-ade
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by Hoseman-ade »

Brilliant set of images !!!! I do like the post processing on the shots 34, 37 and 38. They look very much like HDR ???
any tips or pointers to get that lovely dark and moody look ??

Ade :worship: :worship:

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umea4
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Re: 21ST JUL-25TH JUL: Hot Blade 14

Post by umea4 »

These are brilliant. Not just the aircraft, but, as Bartek said, your approach to documenting the people. Really well done.

Anthony.

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