Chinook and Blackhawk (Not birds)

[Killakoala]

One of the interesting things i did this past week, was to have an opportunity to take photos of Army Chinooks and Blackhawk helicopters landing and departing from our flight deck during Exercise Talisman Sabre 05, held at Shoalwater Bay Training Area. The weather was quite cold for central Queensland and the photographic conditions were dark and not condusive to good shots with the kits lens. An F2.8 zoom lens (17-55) would have been very nice to have.

Here is a Chinook taking off. This photo will be published in the 'Navy News.' Handheld at 1/50, F22 with the kit lens. A bit of radial zoom on the edges of the image lead to the centre of attention, the Chinook. The blades are nicely blurred to show motion. It's suprisingly difficult to get that much motion with a helicopter. The downwash from the blades was quite amazing, but not suprising due to the size of the thing.



And a Blackhawk Gunship landing (notice the machine guns on the sides.)
1/80, F22, Kit lens.

[Glen]

Steve, like the first and F22 handheld ... Wow. Plus you can take portraits with a mirror lens, you definitely have a good skill set

[BBJ]

Hey Steve, nice pics mate as usual. Both good shots and well i had a nice lil video clip of a chinook not quiet making the landing spot as he should and it fell off. Anyhow it happens but these a good shots, you will be able to start you own gallery of these shots soon. I went to the local gallery here once that had an show on that was taken by Navy people and also was good to see.

[spada]

Hi Steve
Nice capture, long time I did not see the Chinook since the war was over(1975).

Regards
Spada

[big pix]

Steve ....... good capture...... sorry about the weather ........ but we need the rain....

cheers
bp

[mudder]

Catches the scene well Steve, wow F22...

[christiand]

Hi Steve,

great photos.
I can feel the choppers stirring the air.
Thanks for sharing these with us.

Cheers,

CD

[sirhc55]

Great shots Steve, but a question - is the controller in the first pic a woman? Seems to have very slender arms and hands.. . . .

[darb]

why F22? cool shots

edit : disregard re F22, self explanatory.

[birddog114]

Killakoala,
Join the Navy!!!!!!!!
Love those pics and actions, I wish I have them in my time!

[Holden]

I just love shots of military hardware

[robboh]

Very nice pics Steve. Difficult lighting but you've still managed to get them to pop.

[Killakoala]

Great shots Steve, but a question - is the controller in the first pic a woman? Seems to have very slender arms and hands.. . . .

The person in question is a bloke. i think the wind from the downwash has played with his coveralls a bit to make him look a bit that way

[Matt. K]

Hi Killa
Hope you are enjoying the cruise! Do you ever get the chance to go up in one of those birds for a bit of D70 target practice?

[Killakoala]

Hi Killa
Hope you are enjoying the cruise! Do you ever get the chance to go up in one of those birds for a bit of D70 target practice?

I once heard a pilot say, 'A helicopter is a vibrating machine looking for somewhere to crash.'

So to answer you question, even if i was offered i would decline. However I have flown in a Kiowa and an Iriqious in the past (the Iriqious is in my avatar). I would never get in a Seaking, even before the bad crash, unless i really, really, really had to.

Oh and yeah, i am enjoying the trip so far, one month into it. We are in Townsville at the moment sorting out a few serious defects but will be underway soon, headed north-west.

[birddog114]

Killakoala,
Enjoying your trip and take heap of photos, I want a CD from you when you're back.
Thanks first!

[bobrob]

I think the first shot is a beauty
bobrob

[Oneputt]

Lovely pics Steve. What class of ship are you on?

[Matt. K]

Killa
Is that defect your way of saying you have sunk?

[Killakoala]

MattK, If the ship had sunk, i'd be back at home now and not enjoying the nice warm Queensland sunshine

OnePutt, the ship is an LPA class ship (Landing Platform Amphibious) Has three flight decks.