2016 - Head In The Clouds

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
Post Reply
User avatar
Lloyd H
Posts: 325
Joined: Mon 22 Aug 2011, 10:49 am
Location: West Mids
Contact:

2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Lloyd H »

Not really sure how best to sum up this past year to be honest, it's been nothing short of amazing and I feel incredibly lucky that I've had these opportunities for work. It's been pretty varied work from HEMS operators to a CSAR unit, the flying has been unreal and at times a little stomach churning. Visited new countries, new cities and met some amazing people along the way creating some memories that will stay with me forever, from BBQs in Sweden to shooting a .50 cal from a Pave Hawk and finally logging over 100 hours of flight time whilst photographing.. Anyway I hope you enjoy the images, of which there are a lot so sorry!

I'll try and keep it in chronological order too.

First off was a visit to Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the only HEMS operator in the UK to use the Bell 429. We flew to the helipad at Great Western Hospital in Swindon, I had five minutes to get a few shots and then it was the quick hope back to their base.
1.
ImageWiltshire Air Ambulance Bell 429 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

2.
ImageWiltshire Air Ambulance Bell 429 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

3.
ImageHEMS Night Flying by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

4. My only day out in the Loop, I've definitely lost the interest that I once had. Maybe I've been spoilt in the past, I'm not really sure but it doesn't quite 'grab' me anymore.
ImageUSAF F-15E Strike Eagle 'Rico 72' by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

5.
Image492nd FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Shift 51' by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

6.
ImageRAF Hercules C-130J 'Jackdaw 1' by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

7.
Image47 Squadron Hercules C-130J by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

8.After a little bit of a lull I had a visit arrange to RAF Lakenheath to chat with the 56th RQS about an article for Vertical magazine - you can read it here now https://www.verticalmag.com/features/others-may-live/
Image56th Rescue Squadron Pilots by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

9.
Image56th RQS Pilots by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

10.
Image56th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

11.
Image56th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

12.
Image56th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

13. Then the following day it was back down to Wiltshire to visit the Air Ambulance again, all work for a future article next year.
ImageWiltshire Air Ambulance Pilot by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

14.
ImageWiltshire Air Ambulance Paramedic by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

15.
ImageWiltshire Air Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

16. To Joint Warrior.. The drive up was absolutely awful as I'd managed to pick up some kind of food poisoning, being sick, sweating etc. I thought I would kick it after a day or two but it seems not. What should have been an awesome week of flying on live firing missions on Tain Range turned into a repetitive mantra of "Don't be sick in the aircraft". I should have been flying on two sorties per day, I managed just one each day and then had to go and lie down for the rest of it! But the guys were awesome, I got to fire a .50 cal on the range whilst they held it in the hover!
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

17. Spent casings falling away as the SMA on the opposite side releases a barrage of rounds as they fly in a racetrack pattern.
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

18. Coming into land at Lossie.
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

19. Having gone winchester the SMAs reload the .50 cals.
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pavehawk's by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

20.
Image56th RQS Special Missions Aviator by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

21.
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

22.
ImageSuns Out Guns Out by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

23.
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

24. Couple of weeks later I flew to Copenhagen and got a train to Ronneby in Sweden. This was a sweet work trip, nothing was too much for the guys and they even called up the HQ to request more flying hours for the Friday so we could fly out to this lighthouse in the middle of the ocean so we could shoot some images that had the A2A look.
You can read the article here: https://www.verticalmag.com/features/swedish-sar/
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration/Sjöfartsverkets AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

25.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration AW139 Cockpit by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

26.
ImageWinch Operator by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

27.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration/Sjöfartsverkets AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

28.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration/Sjöfartsverkets AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

29.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration/Sjöfartsverkets AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

30.
ImageSjöfartsverkets Winch Operator And Swedish Navy Submarine by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

31.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration/Sjöfartsverkets AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

32.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

33.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

34.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration Team by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

35.
ImageSwedish Maritime Administration AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

35.5
ImageJUST HANGING OUT by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

36. Fast forward to June and I attended the FAMARA exercise that BHELMA VI were taking part in, relocating from their home base of Tenerife to Lanzarote with two AS332 Super Pumas and three Bell 212s.
ImageDarth Vader by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

37.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332/H215 & Bell 212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

38.
ImageI Love The Smell of Napalm In The Morning by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

39.
ImageBHELMA VI Bell 212 Cockpit by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

40.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332/H215 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

41.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332 Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

42.
ImageAerial Ballet by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

43.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332 Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

44.
ImageBHELMA VI Bell 212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

45.
ImageAlways Travel In Pairs by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

46.
ImagePre-Flight Checks by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

47.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332B Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

48.
ImageBHELMA VI AB212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

49.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332B Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

50.
ImageBHELMA VI AB212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

51.
ImageBHELMA VI AB212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

52.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332B Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

53.
Image'SHOOTER' by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

54.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332B Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

55.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332B Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

56.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332B Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

57.
ImageBHELMA VI AB212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

58.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332B Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

59.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

60.
ImageLUKE, I AM YOUR FATHER by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

61.
ImageDUST OFF by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

62.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332 Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

63.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332 Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

64.
ImageBHELMA VI AB212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

65.
ImageBHELMA VI AB212 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

66.
ImageBHELMA VI AS332 Super Puma by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

67. Mid-July I had the opportunity to ride along on a couple of CSARTF sorties, one of which involved the A-10s that were over in the UK at the time and F-15s from Lakenheath. It was hard to sum up in words, but seeing an A-10 dive down on a strafing run, whilst sat in the back of a Pave Hawk with the doors open was UNREAL.
ImageKEEP CALM by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

68.
ImageTRAIN HARD FIGHT EASY by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

69.
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

70.
Image56th RQS HH-60G Pavehawk by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

71.
ImageHot Extract by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

72.
Image57th RQS PJ by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

73.
Image57th RQS Pararescuemen by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

74.
Image57th RQS PJ by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

75.
Image57th RQS PJ by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

76.
Image57th RQS Pararescuemen by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

77.
Image57th RQS PJ by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

78.
ImageGET TO THE CHOPPA by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

79. So I never, ever thought I would get a fast jet flight to be honest. But as part of an article on the SKASaC I had the opportunity to fly with 746 NAS to shoot some A2A images, showing how 736 provide a valuable real training element to the fighter controllers and observers in the SKASaC. It was everything you would expect it to be and more, I also managed to keep my lunch down too - despite looking pretty green afterwards!
ImageObligatory Selfie by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

80.
Image736 NAS Hawk T1s by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

81.
Image736 Naval Air Squadron Hawk T1s by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

82. Finally some recent work, shot like two weeks ago in Catania, Sicily. Working with the Guardia Costiera for a future article that will be in Vertical911.
ImageGuardia Costiera AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

83.
ImageLEAP OF FAITH by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

84.
ImageWE'RE ALL GOOD by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

85.
ImageGuardia Costiera AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

86.
ImageGuardia Costiera AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

87.
ImageBUGS LIFE by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

88.
ImageThe Team by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

89.
ImageGuardia Costiera AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

90.
ImageGuardia Costiera AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

91.
ImageRISING THUNDER by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

92.
ImageLOOKOUT by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

93.
ImageEYES OUT by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

94.
ImageREFLECTING by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

95.
ImageGuardia Costiera AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

96.
ImageGuardia Costiera AW139 by Lloyd Horgan, on Flickr

Thanks for looking! C+C is most welcome. :smile:

McG
Posts: 996
Joined: Wed 03 Sep 2008, 11:26 am
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by McG »

Good stuff Lloyd.
Must have been hard to narrow your year down to the best 100 or so shots.

User avatar
Ewart
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun 24 Nov 2013, 1:04 pm

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Ewart »

Wow.
Some amazing images there Lloyd.

Possibly one of the best threads in a while.

User avatar
BigClick67
Posts: 305
Joined: Thu 26 Mar 2015, 9:53 am
Location: North-Western Germany

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by BigClick67 »

Absolutely stunning!! :dizzy: can´t pick a favourite-best post in a long time here :worship:

qwerty
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed 22 Jun 2016, 9:28 am

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by qwerty »

Refreshingly varied top notch images taken with a lot of skill which as i know is not easy to build up. Unless you have done it I find it hard to convey to others just how many aspects have to go right to produce these quality results. Airborne photography especially can turn into a nightmare with many wasted plans. Hope you have recovered and do drop me a message if you need work covering in North Scotland.

User avatar
Wes_Howes
Posts: 3929
Joined: Wed 03 Sep 2008, 7:39 am
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Wes_Howes »

Great stuff Lloyd, all top images but I still really like the last one with the water going through the rotors :clap:

PeterR
Posts: 4841
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 12:43 pm

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by PeterR »

Lloyd, incredible shooting. You have fast become (in my eyes) one of the best rotary-wing photographers in Europe. Bravo! :clap:

User avatar
Russ
Posts: 5592
Joined: Wed 23 Jul 2008, 6:51 am
Location: UK

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Russ »

Outstanding Lloyd. Absolutely nailed it. :clap: :cool:

User avatar
Wrexham Mackem
UKAR Staff
Posts: 2514
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 4:46 pm
Location: Farndon, Chester

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Wrexham Mackem »

A fine set of photographs. Thanks for posting, I enjoyed them very much :clap: :clap:

User avatar
Lloyd H
Posts: 325
Joined: Mon 22 Aug 2011, 10:49 am
Location: West Mids
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Lloyd H »

Guys thank you for you're incredibly kind replies, it's always lovely to hear that your work good!
McG wrote:Good stuff Lloyd.
Must have been hard to narrow your year down to the best 100 or so shots.


There's loads that are sat on my hard drive un-edited! And some that I'm holding back, like the Hawk A2A and shots from Italy :)

PeterR wrote:Lloyd, incredible shooting. You have fast become (in my eyes) one of the best rotary-wing photographers in Europe. Bravo! :clap:


That really means a lot, Peter, thank you. :smile:

Elliott Marsh
Posts: 306
Joined: Fri 19 Aug 2016, 11:02 am

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Elliott Marsh »

This set is awesome. Many give a sense of action and immediacy that is often lacking from operational shoots (IMO).

I've heard from many people that there aren't opportunities for military enthusiasts and photographers in the modern era, and that the opportunities that are available won't amount to enough to get you noticed and so on. Just goes to show that with talent, professionalism and determination, you can still make a name for yourself and produce something unique.

Anyhoo, I'll stop blowing smoke now...

User avatar
SWATCO
Posts: 328
Joined: Sat 17 Aug 2013, 5:08 pm
Location: Somerset

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by SWATCO »

Incredible set, every single shot is either interesting or awesome(or both in many cases!)

User avatar
Lloyd H
Posts: 325
Joined: Mon 22 Aug 2011, 10:49 am
Location: West Mids
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Lloyd H »

Thanks Stu!

Elliott Marsh wrote:This set is awesome. Many give a sense of action and immediacy that is often lacking from operational shoots (IMO).

I've heard from many people that there aren't opportunities for military enthusiasts and photographers in the modern era, and that the opportunities that are available won't amount to enough to get you noticed and so on. Just goes to show that with talent, professionalism and determination, you can still make a name for yourself and produce something unique.

Anyhoo, I'll stop blowing smoke now...


Means a lot Elliot, thank you. It's taken a lot of time & effort but I feel that I'm slowly starting to reap the rewards now, especially this year.
Appreciate the kind words.

User avatar
Ledhead27
UKAR Staff
Posts: 2210
Joined: Tue 20 Dec 2011, 6:49 pm
Location: Inverness (and occasionally 20,000ft - if the aircraft can make it that high)

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Ledhead27 »

Simply stunning, and very jealous as well!
"PostMan, FuelMan, SpamCan, NoPlan, CivviMan, Dan"

UKAR Party Plane Captain

4 out of 5 baguettes

User avatar
Lloyd H
Posts: 325
Joined: Mon 22 Aug 2011, 10:49 am
Location: West Mids
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Lloyd H »

Thanks!

Airwolfhound
Posts: 2707
Joined: Fri 06 Jun 2014, 12:53 pm
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Airwolfhound »

The post of the year for me :clap: :clap: :clap:

A huge amount of effort and dedication and perseverance has gone into this little lot, kudos to you :clap: :clap:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24874528@N04/

Agile, mobile and hostile ;-)

User avatar
jingernut
Posts: 859
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 5:24 pm

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by jingernut »

There are some absolutely incredible shots in that lot. Superb work!

The quality and composition of them is amazing.

Picking jaw off the floor now.

:clap: :clap:

User avatar
bigcrow
Posts: 1323
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 2:43 pm
Location: Worcestershire, U.K
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by bigcrow »

Nice ones Lloyd, what a great year you've had... :clap:

User avatar
Lloyd H
Posts: 325
Joined: Mon 22 Aug 2011, 10:49 am
Location: West Mids
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Lloyd H »

Thanks guys! :smile:

User avatar
Tommy
UKAR Staff
Posts: 9401
Joined: Mon 14 Mar 2011, 11:39 pm

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Tommy »

You've nailed it once again, Lloyd. Nice work, buddy! :king: :king:

DMH
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun 12 Jul 2009, 11:26 pm

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by DMH »

And that is the difference between a pro and us mere mortals...

User avatar
GME-AirFoto
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu 30 Apr 2009, 9:39 pm
Location: Bavarian sky
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by GME-AirFoto »

Superb images :clap: :clap: :clap:

User avatar
lynothehammer
Posts: 1926
Joined: Mon 26 Jan 2009, 9:45 pm
Location: Camberley, Surey

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by lynothehammer »

Just simply awesome...

User avatar
Lloyd H
Posts: 325
Joined: Mon 22 Aug 2011, 10:49 am
Location: West Mids
Contact:

Re: 2016 - Head In The Clouds

Post by Lloyd H »

Thanks guys!! :smile:

Post Reply