Hummingfrog, I stand corrected and offer humble apologies. I didn't realise the RAF were that far behind the FAA in replacing the Whirlwind.
etiene t boy, I for one am not rubbishing the AB139, I don't know enough about it to do that. What I am asking for, is information on its' capabilities so I can make an informed opinion. There are plenty of rumours but no actual facts! No one should be asked to go out in an untested, unproven machine to help someone in distress. This is a very good looking machine but that does not mean it can do the job it will be asked to do! A dark and stormy night is not the time to find out you have been sold a pup. It needs a proper trial, as does the S92, before it goes into SAR. How long was the current machine,the S61 trialed for with the autohover before it was cleared for operations? I believe it was over a year. However, as you say, good luck to CHC and the crews who will have to make it work. The Sticky Bun is a hard act to follow!!