RAN Sea King over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
This painting illustrates the ‘Sea King’ which is a very sophisticated all-weather amphibious helicopter for anti-submarine warfare and can also be used in a search and rescue role. The Royal Australian Navy took delivery of its Sea Kings in 1974. Sea Kings operated from the flight deck of HMAS Melbourne (ll) along with Douglas Skyhawks and Grumman Trackers.
The above painting shows a Sea King helicopter—marked clearly with the number 02 and the word NAVY. The helicopter is shown flying low over a turbulent sea, its rotors blurred into motion, suggesting urgency and action. The aircraft is angled slightly forward, as if in the middle of a manoeuvre. Below it, Melbourne (ll) cuts through rough water. The deck is busy with equipment, antennas, and personnel, all rendered with enough specificity to convey the complexity of naval operations.
The superstructure of HMAS Melbourne (ll) includes radar arrays, masts, and communication equipment. The vessel is angled slightly toward the viewer, giving depth and perspective. The sea is rough, the sky is overcast, leaning toward stormy, which heightens the tension and drama. The palette is dominated by greys, blues, and muted metallic tones. The overall mood is operational intensity: a moment of coordination between air and sea in challenging conditions.
- About David Marshall
- About Ships and aircraft in company
In this section a wide variety of artworks with more than one ship, submarine or aircraft are featured. When two or more naval vessels are operating together they are said to be ‘in company’.
The diverse nature of activities, exercises and deployments undertaken by ships, submarines and aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy means that a ship may spend long periods conducting single ship operations or periodically join with large numbers of other ships for such events as a naval review or fleet entry to a port. These latter events are generally scheduled to commemorate a particular event. During such events a prominent or royal figure will review the fleet as part of the ceremony. Throughout its history ships of the RAN have participated in major fleet entries and reviews both in Australian waters and overseas.
Details of Ships in the First Fleet
Name Class Commission Dates HMAS Australia Indefatigable Class 21 Jun 1913 – 12 Dec 1921 HMAS Melbourne Town Class Light Cruiser 18 Jan 1913 – 23 Apr 1928 HMAS Sydney Town Class Light Cruiser 26 Jun 1913 – 8 May 1928 HMAS Encounter Challenger Class Light Cruiser 1 Jul 1912 – 1 Jan 1923 HMAS Warrego River Class 1 Jun 1912 – 22 Jul 1919 HMAS Parramatta River Class 10 Sep 1910 – 22 Jul 1919 HMAS Yarra River Class 10 Sep 1910 – 30 Sep 1929
More reading
- Additional resources for Ships and aircraft in company
RAN Wessex 31B over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
Destroyer Cruising the Tropics
RAN Skyhawks share the deck of HMAS Melbourne (ll) with Grumman Trackers
RAN Skyhawks of 805 Squadron climb out over HMAS Melbourne (ll) at sunset
RAN Skyhawks joining formation above HMAS Melbourne (ll)
RAN Seahawks over HMAS Sydney (iv)
RAN Grumman Tracker taking off from HMAS Melbourne (ll)
RAN Gannets over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
Korean War Battler – A RAN Firefly V makes a low pass over HMAS Sydney (ll)
Hawker Sea Fury – The ultimate piston-engined fighter
805 Squadron RAN Sea Venom makes a low pass over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
Aircraft carrier, with Grumman Avenger aircraft on flight deck
Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Approach, HMAS Supply, Hobart and Sydney
MV KRAIT and Japanese Destroyer in 1943
Troop Convoy and Escort and Hudson Bomber
N Class Destroyers off Libya
Sydney Harbour looking east to Garden Island from Dawes Point
Second Convoy that left Albany, Western Australia on the 31st December 1914
RAN tribute to Anzac dead Dardanelles 12th November 1918
