Newquay Coastguard Helicopter on Excerise with Penlee Lifeboat 17th March 2019

The location was Mounts Bay for a winching exercise between Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen" and Newquay based Sikorsky S-92 Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ. This is essential training for all involved, added to this the weather was not playing ball for photography but must of added a more realistic element to the exercise. Conditions were tricky, sunshine, dark skies, heavy showers, low visibility, all thrown into the mix during the exercise. Images were the best I could get due tothe weather and distance off shore. So they are not stunning but give a good record of the training exercise.

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen" and Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ on exercise

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen" and Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ on exercise

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen" and Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ on winching exercise

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen" and Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ on winching exercise

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen" and Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ training in Mounts Bay

 Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ training in Mounts Bay

Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGZ training in Mounts Bay

Final Flight of the 849 Sea Kings ASAC MK7 from RNAS Culdrose

Final Flight of the 849 Sea Kings ASAC MK7 from RNAS Culdrose. Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control the only place to witness these aircraft was Burrator Reservoir near Plymouth. The aircraft flew over here on their way to retirement/disposal at HMS Sultan. Not been before I got there slightly later than anticipated and didnt have time to carry the big glass up the hill. So I made my way up with more portable glass, the images I managed to get are below. It was a long time since I had seen three Sea King ASAC Mk7s in the air so BZ the engineeers for making in happen.

Coastguard/RNLI Exercise in Mounts Bay

Witnessed another Coastguard/RNLI exercise in Mounts Bay. Unfortunately the wind direction meant the Helicopter and Lifeboat were travelling away from my position. A few shots of the Penlee Lifeboat and Coastguard Helicopter were gained before the exercise elements disappeared almost over the horizon. In fact checking the radar on the phone it looked like they were four to five miles off the coast adjacent to Praa Sands!!! So here are some images I did manage.

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen"

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter C-MCGY

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen"

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter C-MCGY

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen" and Coastguard Helicopter

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter C-MCGY

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter C-MCGY

Day time Exercise with the RNLI/Coastguard

This latest exercise took place in Mounts Bay off Newlyn, although is was quite far off shore I still managed to get some images.  The training exercise seemed to run smoothly for both the RNLI and Helicopter polishing their skill-set for real emergencies. The helicopter G-MCGY is based at Newquay and the lifeboat is the Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen"

RNLI and Coastguard Night Exercise

Our rescue services often train together to hone/polish their skill set, this was one such occasion. Problem for me was this time it would mostly be dark and I would have no idea where the lifeboat/helicopter would be positioned, hence I set up with my 500mm lens. Exercise commenced and the Penlee Lifeboat and Bristow SAR helicopter from Newquay positioned themselves to close to me during their first pass (aargh!!!!) Could of done with a 200-300mm lens not a 500mm!!! Still had to make do with what I had. This was going to be testing as it soon got dark, very dark.  The ISO was soon being turned up the scale from 20000-51,200 ISO. (sure the camera can see in the dark better than I can) As a result of pushing the ISO images are somewhat noisy but on the whole not bad for a night shoot full of action.

Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGY

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen"

Coastguard Helicopter winching to lifeboat

Coastguard Helicopter hi-line transfer to lifeboat

First Aviation visit to RNAS Culdrose in 2018

Well it was a sunny day with the odd grey cloud (mostly in the phots) so a quick trip out to get some shots.  Only the local aircraft around, sadly no visitors. But the good light and patches of blue skies make the photography much more pleasing on the eye.

BAE Hawk T1 of 736 Squadron

Merlin MK2 Helicopter of 814 Squadron "Flying Tigers"

Beechcraft KingAir 350 of 750 Squadron

Beechcraft KingAir 350 of 750 Squadron

Merlin MK2 Helicopter of 814 Squadron "Flying Tigers"

BAE Hawk T1 of 736 Squadron

BAE Hawk T1 of 736 Squadron

St Just for a Snowy Owl

A visit to St Justto hopefully catch a Snowy Owl sighted the day before. No joy with the Snowy Owl but we were treated to a spectacular sunrise a pheasant and some metal birds.

Sunrise

RNAS Culdrose Merlin Helicopter

Skybus

Pheasant

Norwegian SAR Aircraft at Newquay Airport

Paid a visit to Cornwall Newquay airport where the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) is temporarily based. Here aircrews are training/familiarising with their new helicopters . 

The helicopter is the most advanced SAR Capable helicopter in the world today. The aircraft has two rescue hoists, a large cabin area, automatic flight control system, newly developed Osprey radar giving a full all round 360 degree view for aircrew, all weather capability, anti-icing protection,  a mobile telephone detection system, integrated  dual redundancy avionic/mission systems, power plant consisting of three engines, a thirty minute dry run gearbox, a laser obstacle avoidance system and an obstacle proximity system which provides warning of wires and other obstacles that may be a danger to the aircraft. So that is a brief description of the aircraft, now onto some images

Solway Aviation Musem

I had a brief opportunity to visit Solway Aviation Museum situated at Carlisle airport. I only had about an hour which wasn't really long enough. Although not huge there is a small selection of interesting airframes, an indoor exhibit area, shop and cafe. I will hopefully get a longer visit later this year and get some better images. Meanwhile here is a random selection from the day.

Hawker F.51

Canberra Cockpit

English Electric Lightning

Sikorsky S.55 Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm

RAF Phantom FGR2

Meteor

Jet Provest

Sea Prince

RAF Phantom FGR2

Vulcan Bomber

Vulcan Bomber

Vulcan Bomber Cockpit

Vulcan Van