PANews I don't agree with your choices for the Emergency Services helicopter being just the 135,145 and the Grand. I don't have anything against these other types or those who operate them but them that operate the 902 rave about it too.
Its difficult to find 1 type that fulfills all the roles for a UK Emergency Service helicopter but I think the 902 is as good if not better a contender for the role. IMO its down to the needs of the operator but to dismiss the 902 as you do so is very blinkered, when you speak to those that have to operate the 902 they talk of its merits with the NOTAR, high set main rotor, fantastic forward visiblity and especially its large and quite cabin, if the customers happy alls well!
The problems you talk about are behind MD and to infer that they aren't is akin to saying that just as any new or old helicopter suffer periods of difficulty this will always make them second rate, regardless of how many years ago this was or the level of support to the operator in recent times.
Ms