Originally Posted by
rotor-rooter
As for the AW139 being remotely British, you must be joking?
Well, the 'W' is technically British. And, supposedly, the (bl
dy annoying) FTR microswitches in the pedals were first seen on the Seaking, courtesy of Westlands.
Originally Posted by
rotor-rooter
It's yet another Bell design, simply with an Italian badge.
Mwhaha, now you're the deluded one! The 139 is very definitely an Italian design. I understand that the only Bell input was that the cabin is the same size as the 205/212/412 family.
"
Agusta responsible for development, certification to JAR/FAR 29 and transition to production, with participation by Bell on a 75:25% work-share basis; final assembly by Agusta at Vergiate, and by Bell (possibly at Mirabel, Canada) for American and Pacific Rim customers." From Bell/Agusta AB139 helicopter - development history, photos, technical data