Ten Tors Retrospective

[Seamus]

Evening all,

This weekend would have seen the annual Ten Tors Challenge event held on Dartmoor, and ordinarily I'd have spent the weekend stood on a hill shooting the helicopters that support the event. It's pretty much my favourite weekend for aviation photography of the year given the incredible photographic opportunities it presents, so it's more than a little disappointing not to be able to do it this year. Instead, I've been using some of my spare time this week to look back over past events and edit a few new shots, it's amazing what you miss first time around! For starters, here's a few from my first visit to the event in 2012.

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZF119/WY | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/12 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZF115/WV | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/12 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Lynx HMA8 | XZ732/302 | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/12 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZF115/WV | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/12 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZF119/WY | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/12 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Onto 2015, the last event to feature the Sea King and Lynx

 

Westland Lynx HMA8 | XZ731/306 | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 10/05/15 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZF116/WP | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 10/05/15 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZE427/K | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 10/05/15 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZF116/WP | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 10/05/15 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZF116/WP | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 10/05/15 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

2016 saw a changing of the guard with the Merlin taking over

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 07/05/16 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 07/05/16 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ136/U | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 07/05/16 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 07/05/16 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ18/B | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 07/05/16 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

2018 was just an insane year, the Sunday remains the best day of aviation photography I've ever had, just incredible scenes up on the tor!

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ119/C | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 12/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3A | ZJ994/AC | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ119/C | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ119/C | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

And finally a handful from another fine year last year.

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ130/O | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp 11/05/19 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ130/O | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp 11/05/19 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ135/T | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp 11/05/19 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ130/O | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp 11/05/19 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

AgustaWestland Merlin HC3i | ZJ135/T | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp 12/05/19 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking, hopefully they were of interest. More can be found on my Flickr for those who want to see more...

 

Cheers

 

Shaun

[F-32]

Very nice selection of shots

[Latinbear]

Superb shots as ever! Thanks for sharing. Out of interest, how many airframes are usually deployed for the event? 

[Seamus]

15 hours ago, Latinbear said:

Superb shots as ever! Thanks for sharing. Out of interest, how many airframes are usually deployed for the event? 

Cheers guys. These days there is usually a pair of Junglie cabs deployed. Back in the day, a Lynx used to support the event too, but since it's retirement the Wildcat hasn't been used in the same role, sadly, although one did drop in for a quick visit last year.

[Red Dot]

fantastic photos Shaun. Is there one particluar spot or is it pot luck?

 

Andy

[junglierating]

Meh why'd you have to ruin it with that RAF cast off 🤣🤣

Good phots have I seen them before somewhere are you freelance

[Harry Lime]

On 5/2/2020 at 5:52 PM, Seamus said:

hopefully they were of interest

They certainly were, thanks for sharing!

 

Mark.

[keefr22]

Absolutely stunning pics Shaun, really great photography!

 

Keith

[Seamus]

 Thanks chaps

 

On 5/4/2020 at 9:58 AM, Red Dot said:

fantastic photos Shaun. Is there one particluar spot or is it pot luck?

 

Andy

 

The hill by the HLS is an easy and popular spot to catch them coming and going as you can't miss really. The shots from on top of the tors require a bit more luck, or simply knowing the right person. Doesn't always pan out as hoped but when it does it's pretty spectacular!

 

12 hours ago, junglierating said:

Meh why'd you have to ruin it with that RAF cast off 🤣🤣

Good phots have I seen them before somewhere are you freelance

 

I've shared similar images on here in the past, these are all new images I've edited as a way of filling some of the spare time I have on my hands at the moment! Not freelance, just a keen hobbyist.

[Red Dot]

Whereabouts is the HLS please Shaun. It is one to remember for the future as it looks fun

 

Cheers

Andy