Merlin Gallery

Royal Navy Merlin Helicopter

A Royal Navy Merlin helicopter taking part in an exercise over the south of England.
Merlin Mk1 the world's most potent submarine hunting helicopter. The Merlin Mk1 have been in service with the Fleet Air Arm since the late 1990s and, after thorough testing and evaluation, the helicopters have been on the front line since 2000.
Our job is to find and if necessary destroy enemy submarines using our state-of-the-art sonar buoys which we drop into the ocean and Sting Ray torpedoes. Beyond searching for submarines, we carry out traditional maritime helicopter duties: anti-piracy/drug-running patrols, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, and passenger and load transfers.
There are more than 40 Merlins in service with the Fleet Air Arm in training and front-line squadrons. Most of these are in the middle of a £750m upgrade to turn the Merlin Mk1 into the Merlin Mk2 which has more powerful computer systems and is easier for aircrew to operate.
This image was an entry to the Peregrine Trophy 2013 Royal Navy Photographic Competition

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Turbulent with a Merlin Helicopter from HMS St Albans

Trafalgar Class Fleet Submarine HMS Turbulent is pictured with the Merlin helicopter from Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans, during an anti-submarine exercise in the Gulf of Oman.
The ship tested sonar ranges, radar ranges and lookouts during the exercise also involving HMS Turbulent and a small number of foreign vessels

© Crown Copyright

Voice audition for female role in a musical 1908

Illustration of a voice-trial for a female role in a musical comedy, with Stanley Wade and Merlin Morgan shown judging the auditions for Mr George Edwardes theatre companies. The accompanying caption elaborates on the rigourous audition process even for minor roles, despite an apparent public perception that many are chosen for appearance alone. Date: 1908

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans