Art on the Edge: British Military Helicopters on a Sea King Blade

Every so often, a commission comes along that is equal parts challenge and privilege—something that pushes my creativity while celebrating a rich piece of aviation history. This project did exactly that: painting four legendary British military helicopters onto a genuine Sea King tail rotor blade.

The canvas itself already carried decades of stories. Unmistakably part of a machine built for duty, the tail rotor blade set the tone for the entire piece. Instead of working on a flat canvas surface, I had to adapt to the metal, which can frustratingly push the acrylic paint around the surface, rather than being grabbed by the canvas weave. A good primer coating to begin with, before sketching-out.

The artwork features four iconic helicopters whose roles have shaped British military aviation:

• Westland Wessex – A stalwart of search and rescue and troop transport, its distinctive nose and rugged profile were a joy to bring to life.

• Aérospatiale Gazelle – Sleek, agile, and instantly recognisable with its fenestron tail, it added a dynamic contrast to the heavier rotorcraft.

• Westland Sea King – A legend in its own right, and particularly special given that I was painting it onto one of its own rotor blades.

• Westland Army Lynx – Fast, versatile, and beloved by crews, it provided the perfect finishing touch to the lineup - especially as the commissoner served as an air gunner on one.

Adding a small portrait of the commissioner to the Army Lynx door

Bringing these four aircraft together on one historic part felt like building a tribute not just to the machines themselves, but adding a connection to the real airframe. Each brushstroke was a nod to their service and the legacy carried by these remarkable helicopters. It has certainly given me food for thought regarding what other bits of aeroplane I could paint on...