Originally Posted by
helispotter
Go back enough years and the successful SA 330 started life as a military helicopter but with a number later built as plain ol' O&G SA330J's!
Wiki tells me the J's were "Upgraded civil transport version with composite rotor blades and with higher maximum takeoff weight", so in some respects more capable than their then military counterparts (aside from SA 330L).
I can see the point re ground clearance. SA 330 seems to have good clearance, but Black Hawk doesn't in comparison, yet never heard this raised as an issue for them.
The introduction of the ‘civvy’ Puma into Mil use (by the RAF at-least) went far from smoothly.
It’s unsuitability for the battlefield were soon made apparent. The lack of engine anticipators (not required for S&L flying and steady approaches to rigs/HLS) highlighted its unsuitability to nap-of-the-earth flying and rapid approaches into unprepared sites.
The Mk2 ‘upgrade’ from Romania is another story !