Just back from the G-ZZSO trip to Malta. I can confirm that its not planned to send it any further under its own steam, and already the blades, MGB and tailboom are off. I just hope it will fit into the Belfast!
We had a good trip but a slight problem going over the Alps - at 7000' QNH with jagged rocks just beneath, we got a GOV caption with loss of torque indication on eng #1. On Steve's suggestion we diverted to Marignane (30 mins away) to get them to fix it. Eurocopter are not used to having their customers dropping in for running repairs but to their credit, the paperwork issues were overcome and (after an EC lunch) we made it to Malta that night. IFR from Olbia (Sardinia) at FL100 at 150kts TAS, not bad!
We had to stay a day in Malta to move the aircraft off-airfield to the maintenance facility, 5 mins away, then a very pleasant afternoon aboard a yacht - thankyou Vince and Deborah. Its a hard life being a pilot...
Nick