When the Merlin entered service with the UK mIl, I was still on SeaKings. Each hour the SeaKing flew, it required 10hrs of maintenance. In those early Merlin days, the Merlin ratio was: 1 to 80
Currently, having spoken to an AEO colleague of mine who is on Merlin's, it is 1 to 45hrs.
Now does that speak volumes or does that speak volumes.
Do you EVER see Merlin's front line (in harm's way) in A? Why is that? Could it be because one round from an AK47 would ground it for panel repairs for ages and ages. So they are all kept in the rear under a supporting role. A military mchine unable to fight???
Biggest white elephant EVER sold to the big wigs. To this day, I never cease to be amazed by its over indulgent, massively over engineered, over redundant (systems)......and for what?
How much are they now
Pathetic innovation. Long live the Chinook.