High Wing Drifter
But seeing as it is designed by Lockheed in Owego (not Lockheed UK IS) and built by Bell I don't see where Britain comes into the equation. Didn't they tell Tony that just a couple of blokes from Havant would be involved.
Waspy
As for rewarding Tony Bliar ... there were much better ways, but hey we all love a good conspiracy.
Sunday Times
November 2004
TONY BLAIR is seeking to capitalise on his special relationship with George Bush by urging the American president to buy British-built Westland helicopters for his Marine One fleet.
The US Navy is looking to replace its ageing fleet of helicopters that make up Marine One. They are famous throughout the world for taking a succession of presidents to and from the White House lawn.
Recognising the publicity value of taking such an iconic role, Blair lobbied for the British firm to win the contract during his private meeting with Bush in Washington this month.
He is said to have emphasised the quality of the Westland bid and its importance to British and American jobs.
Westland has attempted to Americanise its bid by offering a US-built version of EH101 helicopter — carefully renamed the US101. Its consortium is led by Lockheed Martin, the US defence contractor, and includes Bell, a US helicopter manufacturer.
Whitehall officials have also written to the Bush administration putting forward the case for Westland.
Both the White House and Downing Street refused to comment on the bid last week, because it was “a commercial matter”.
Washington Post
January 2005
Sixty-five percent of Lockheed's aircraft will be built in the United States; the transmission will be built in Italy and the blades in the United Kingdom.
The Navy said the Lockheed helicopter would meet its needs more quickly and on budget.
The contract calls for 23 helicopters, with the first to be delivered in 2009.
The public campaign for the contract attracted international attention, including personal appeals to President Bush from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The Navy said politics did not factor into its decision.