After the same subject about the Dutch Chinooks (see http://forum.scramble.nl/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=77507), I Promised to to get back with some pics from the Koninklijke Luchtmacht Cougars at work in
and over Afghanistan. I made these Cougar pics in 2010 during the preparations of our publication "Airpower, the Netherlands Air Force" (Airpower, de Nederlandse Luchtmacht). Although the Chinook pics
were probably more spectacular as I got much more time with these helo's, I think there are still some nice Cougar pictures left to present in this topic.
Enjoy... (still many thanks to the 300sq crews who made this all possible).
1. Cougar at his clearly Dutch parkingspot at Kandahar
2.
3.
4. Its machine gun
5. My first attempt to catch the Cougar during its flight to Uruzgan, was accompanied with a low overcast, after twenty minutes in flight the weather turned bad, we had to return to KAF. But still a few pictures
could me made.
6.
7. Low level over a nomad camp
8. The doorgunner on alert, as the enemy could be everywhere
9. Before returning to the parkingspot, we had to refuel on the other side of the airfield. A Canadian Chinook (now very special as they are retired) can be seen during its landing in the background
10. The next day, initially the weather wasn't much better, but meteo expected an improvement, so we gave it another try. The 300sq crewchief is observing his Cougar just before take-off.
11. Unexpected flares firing, scary moment, but luckily the threat was not seen.
12. Nice observation of a Dutch Cougar with the doorgunner always on alert. Clearly, the kevlar plates at the cockpit windows and at the doorgunners position can be seen. Of course, they are for the protection of
the crew. Watch the left pilot, he is taking a picture / movie with his small camera of my Cougar.
13. There is speed in this picture!
14. Low level over the beautiful scenery of Afghan countryside.
15. Nice break!
16. In the middle of nowhere...
17. The flight from Kandahar to Tarin Kowt (Uruzgan province) leads you over a massive mountain ridge.
18.
19.
20. Then... the low-high-low trip gave some unexpected nice opportunities to catch our shadow!
21.
22. After arriving at TK, our Apaches were ready to support the Cougars during the flights into Taliban country.
23. Many pallets were picked-up these days and sling loaded to remote locations where our forces were operating.
24.
25.
26. The landingzone at TK is prepped with rough gravel, as a dust preventation measure.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31. Then we returned in the evening sun (golden hour for picturing) to Kandahar.
32. Of course, on request a nice flare demonstration
33. And the final picture
Regards,
Stephan
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, no.13 and no.18 were both made with 1/320th and are sharp. During the flight, I took pictures from 1/50th up to 1/640th. The 1/50th's are of course very nice for a good rotor blur, but these are at the same time the "high risk" shots I talked about earlier on. They resulted in unsharp fuselages, mainly due to vibration of the camera ship and speed of the subject. Most of them were made with 1/320th as, again IMHO, the blur is fine enough. The 1/640th shots are safe shots, but due to that less rotor blur, like no. 31, 32 and 33. I agree that the blurs on these last three shots of the series, are not that good, specially 31. My decision for that faster shutter speed was made because of the flares. 