And I have seen photos of a S-76B that had 2 blades blown off it by the wind!! Yes they were tied down, it definitely looks weird with 2 little stubs left where the blades once were. BTW the cabin was untouched.
Lets not forget that 76 dynamics have departed in more than one case WITHOUT hitting anything.
And what will an S76D be? A "new" old helicopter?
I think EC have done a good job with the 145 within the bounds of what they can.
Ref the EC 145 yes it is a BK117C2 and the K always stood for Kawasaki. Yes there is an equivalent to the EC 145 buiilt in Japan and is a 117C2. The German assembled one is an EC 145 and the aircraft is assembled in Donauworth even if the frame is made in Japan. This has always been the case. BFD. I don't know how it can be economic in either country.I think EC have done a good job with the 145 within the bounds of what they can. The whole cockpit section is nearly identical to a 135.
The head on a 117 is the same as a 105 so it is plenty more than 20 years old!
BTW Kawasaki make the MGB in a MD900 don't they?
MD 500 Frames were once made in Korea for the US delivered aircraft.
The EC 135 is a cleaned up BO 108.
AS350's are now being built in Mississippi.
EC 120's are made partly in China and Singapore.
I think it is called "globalisation". Check the "Big Mac" index in the Economist magazine.