Went to a RAeS bash this week, where Mr. Agusta Westland was extolling the virtues of the Merlin over S-92 etc.
Having won Marine 1 VVIP role for POTAS, Mr. AW is now very keen to win USAF AFSOC CSAR replacement and also US Coastguard contracts. If the Yanks pay for the development work would Merlin not make a good RAF SAR / CSAR platform? (Of course it would, if you believe the AW vids and the heroic Cormorant story.....)
Also, are informed viewers here suggesting that the RAF / FAA will relinquish all SAR work to a PPP/PFI contractor? Not happy now - no more Leconfield Brylcream boys over Whitby... Boo hoo..
