I
n May 1992 two nuclear-powered
submarines HMS Trenchant and USS
Spade sh were set to break through the
ice at the North Pole and rendezvous with
two RAF Nimrods involved in a navigation
training mission. Because compasses don’t
work very well as you near the magnetic
pole, the aircrews were to practise other
means of navigation in this featureless and
inhospitable place – the proximity of thesubs provided a unique photo opportunity
that I was tasked to capture.
The initial plan was for us air force guys to
spend the rst night at Thule AB in Greenlandand then make the trip to the North Pole the
next day. However, Thule was experiencing
white-out conditions with drifting snow, so
the night-stop was changed to Andøya AB
on the northernmost island in the Vesterålen
archipelago. After departing RAF Kinloss,
Moray, we landed at the Norwegian base in
the late afternoon of May 6; both aircraft were
then prepped for an early morning departure.
Although we were taking off from near the topPHOTO SHOOT AT THE
TOP OF THE WORLD
In the fi rst of an occasional series, former RAF
photographer Warrant Officer Rick Brewell
(ret’d) gives behind the scenes insights into what
was required to capture the stunning images he
took. This article details one of the more unusual
photo shoots from his 39-year service career.
22 Aviation News incorporating Jets October 2018
TOP OF THE WORLDTOP OF THE WORLD
Above: A bubble window on the port side near
the front of the aircraft was opened so I could
get my shots. A North Pole image featured
in the RAF calendar and others appeared
in various publications. All photos WO Rick
Brewell (ret’d)/MOD