Westland Mk 41 Sea King of the German Navy "Flyout Kiel"

This was a commission gifted to a retired German Navy squadron commander featuring one of his Westland Sea King Mk.41 of the German Navy (Deutsche Marine), and this one was a real treat to bring to life, as it wears its "Flyout Kiel" commemorative livery. I decided to depict the helicopter in action over a dark, storm-swept sea at night, with its searchlights cutting through the tempestuous sky, highlighting the dramatic tension of a naval operation.

The Sea King wears its special commemorative colours, celebrating two milestones in 2012:

• the relocation of MFG-5 (Marinefliegergeschwader 5) from Kiel to Nordholz, and

• the 100-year anniversary of the squadron.

The design features the skyline of Kiel along the fuselage, which I reduced in saturation to integrate it into the scene's intensity and movement of the stormy night. Capturing the interplay of searchlight beams on the churning sea, the reflections in the wet surface, and the dark silhouette of the helicopter was a challenging but rewarding part of the project.

The scene allowed me to emphasise both the aircraft’s gorgeous paint scheme and the heritage of MFG-5—while also creating a sense of immediacy, as though the Sea King is actively patrolling the rough northern waters.

Thanks again Majk for the opportunity to paint this one! Westland Mk 41 Sea King of the German Navy "Flyout Kiel" was a real treat on the easel.