Xenolith,
I wholeheartedly agree that the Cobra Venom would've been a good AH as it came neck and neck, cheek and cheek, with the Longbow, more so for CHF's purposes. I read in the concluding chapter of Hans Halbertsadt's Army Aviation (Presidio Power series pub.1989) that there were some army aviator debated that maybe they should stick on an extra engine to the Cobras ike their Flying Leatherneck counterparts.
Then again the recent Op Ellamy ops proved the Longbow is a worthy 'feet wet' asset with the UK being the first to use it from the sea. Though read in Air Forces Monthly, last month that the Dutch were starting ship trials with their D models.
Best of luck to 1 or 9 or 19
with the forging ahead who knows maybe in years to come, 9 may get redeployed to Germany if the garrisons are kept there.....
Cheers