Sunset Helicopters - RNAS Merryfield Open Evening

[Razor61]

Hi folks,

Just a few sunset pictures of some Royal Navy helicopters. Found it very challenging due to the fact half of the evening was cloudy then the sun would come out, only to go in again and then finally came out for good.
Displays were generally with the sun behind them so they were all silhoetted but here are a few that i have picked out.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1802low.jpg

Was waiting for the vehicle to disappear for ages but then he just sat there in the end.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1825low.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1840low.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1842low.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1530.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1726.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1680.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii218/lajuriel/IMG_1718.jpg

Thanks for looking

[PhotosGuy]

Pretty. Great light in the first 4 & nice framing in #7!

[poppie guy]

Nice series, the last two are my favorite.

[BigStig]

I love the last one. The others are great alos I just wish the rotors were not chopped off.

[credesigno]

Nice set of shots, remind ed me of when I was at Culdrose & Portland :)

[vipergts831]

Nice shots! My only suggestion is on the last pic. I like it a lot but it would be an even greater shot if you allowed for more space on the right side of the image. More sky to right of the helicopters would give them space of movement in the pic. Cropped in so close it makes them looked cramped. This way its more impactful. Always great to remember in shots of action to allow space for the action, this leads the eye in the direction the action was going, allowing you to tell a story in the image. Hope that helps!

[Razor61]

Nice shots! My only suggestion is on the last pic. I like it a lot but it would be an even greater shot if you allowed for more space on the right side of the image. More sky to right of the helicopters would give them space of movement in the pic. Cropped in so close it makes them looked cramped. This way its more impactful. Always great to remember in shots of action to allow space for the action, this leads the eye in the direction the action was going, allowing you to tell a story in the image. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the comments, i have the originals and so can easily do what you suggested... and also, keep the rotors in frame regarding a previous comment.
Just one thing though, both helicopters were hovering and so there was no suggestion of movement to the right. But i do understand what you are saying.

Thanks :)

[john_edwards]

Quick question, if you know. Why are the main landing gear wheels angled outward on the Lynx? Seems that it would screw up a single engine running landing. Never flew the Lynx but the H3 in the 61N version was a fine but slow aircraft.
John

[FlyingPhotog]

Quick question, if you know. Why are the main landing gear wheels angled outward on the Lynx? Seems that it would screw up a single engine running landing. Never flew the Lynx but the H3 in the 61N version was a fine but slow aircraft.
John

I wonder if they're possibly slightly "free castoring" for better ground maneuverability on board ship?

[Razor61]

The castor wheels come from the Westland Wasp idea... so when on the heli deck of a warship, the Wasp could swing the whole helicopter round on the deck and into the wind to take off no matter what direction the warship was moving in.
The Lynx uses the same idea and can turn 360° with no forward movement but also it aids in non-shipborne movement because when they are locked at an angle, the Lynx can't role off the deck.

[FlyingPhotog]

I love it when a WAG is on the money! :cool: