Nick, I thought I might draw a response with my post! I have just looked at your slide and the line drops short of 250nm on your graph. I also seem to remember that the external fuel tank option was not a standard S92 fit and would require extensive modification to the sponsons - presumably requiring further certification. Therefore to say that the S92 has more range than the Merlin is not true. To say it would have more range if you put bigger tanks on is like saying the Merlin could fly to 30 West if it had a refuelling probe - neither actually exist on production models. If you use an internal fuel option then you severely restrict the number of survivors you can rescue. The poor old Sea King can rescue 18 people at 250+ nm so the new toy isn't much of an improvement in capability.
Has anyone else bought or ordered the S92 yet?
Your round I believe