Air International 2021-02
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I.Harding - The Merlin's magical return
Commando Merlin HC4 ZJ122/'F' departs the Leonardo Helicopters site at Yeovil on a test flight in October 2017. Note the flight instrumentation probe
Commando Merlin HC4A ZJ990/AA is shown completing a test flight at Leonardo Helicopters' Yeovil site in late October 2020. The first HC4A was delivered to RNAS Yeovilton on November 9,2020. The nosecone, which was a distinguishing feature of the Merlin HC3A, has been replaced
Air-to-air with 'Furious Flight' as they return home to RNAS Yeovilton after completion of F-35B Lightning II trials (WESTLANT 18) on HMS Queen Elizabeth
Three helicopters, including one Merlin HC3, are shown here running in to support Royal Marines on the ground as part of an exercise
In the twilight of their career, two 845 NAS Merlin HC3As circle overhead as the light fades in Norway
The Commando Merlin HC4 made its public debut at RNAS Yeovilton, home to Commando Helicopter Force, on May 24, 2018.
Commando Merlin HC4 ZJ129/N during the ceremony.
Two key components of the new design are the automatic main rotor and tail folding system. CHF’s new marinised Commando Merlin HC4s have been adapted to support the fleet in a manner which would have been impossible previously
An 845 NAS Commando Merlin HC4 during a confined area landing
846 NAS Commando Merlin HC4 captured landing at Portland heliport (formerly RNAS Portland) in Dorset to refuel having supported Royal Marines in the local area. Note the 352nd Special Operations Group CV- 22B Osprey in the background