All that aside, the choice of B412 in a training role - particularly for students straight off initial helicopter course - does seem a little odd to me.
Not really - to train front and rearcrew for both battlefield and SAR skills including winching, gunnery, NVG, underslung loads etc when the next step was to CH47, Puma or AW101. SAR winch training often involved 2 instructors and 2 trainees in the Cabin, normally with a survivor/stretcher.
Using a H135/H145 seems a little odd to me.....