No re the 53D
HC,
I imagine your comment addressed the economic practicality of the S-65 in that market, given the purchase price and operating costs. That was the issue, and you are correct.
On the flying side of the assessment though, the S-65 at that time was far and away the best flying big machine. Far better than the 61 and the early CH-47 models ( SA sort of sat on our hands there, and Boeing certainly did not! ).
Someone mentioned the S-64, in jest, and I'll just add that incorporating lateral shaft tilt provides for a zero roll angle hover attitude, but everything else associated with it is a downhill story. Example: think side slip angle ( heading vs track ) at the bottom end of a decelerated, slow approach in the fog/rain.
Last edited by JohnDixson; 1st Sep 2013 at 13:30.
Reason: Typo