RAF Chinook Makes History on HMS Queen Elizabeth
For the first time ever, a giant RAF Chinook helicopter has been stowed inside a British aircraft carrier. The mighty 99ft-long chopper from RAF 7 Squadron joined several Royal Navy Merlins on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, marking a significant milestone for the Royal Navy and RAF partnership.
Monster Helicopter Fits in Without a Fold
The Chinook’s nose stuck out over the edge of one of Queen Elizabeth’s two colossal aircraft lifts as it was moved from the flight deck down to the hangar. So vast are the lifts and hangar spaces on the Portsmouth-based supercarrier, there was no need to fold its rotors – a rarity for such a huge helicopter.
Six Choppers Take on Sea Trials
- The featured Chinook, ZH902, is a special trials variant from RAF’s Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC) at MOD Boscombe Down.
- It was joined by a second Chinook and two Merlins from ATEC.
- Also on board were two Merlin Mk2s from 820 Naval Air Squadron.
All six helicopters are onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth to test operating limits as they fly from the sea-bound carrier.
Safe from Storms as Queen Elizabeth Heads to Gibraltar
The 65,000-tonne warship—the largest ever built for the Royal Navy—shifted the helicopters safely into the hangar ahead of bad weather. With the Chinooks and Merlins tucked away, they were kept out of harm’s way as the carrier made her journey toward Gibraltar.
