In Australia the Military that are operating in a training role and didn't choose it are crying into their beer. It is woefully under-performing and rumour has it to train for hoisting they can't carry enough fuel to leave the confines of Nowra!

I am not the tallest pilot around, however when going from the 206L to the 407, I found out that the pax cabin was made longer by stealing about 4 inches from the cockpit and that I no longer needed to move the pedals closer.
Small cockpit tends to be an issue when you are training with an LPA over your flight suit.
The 407's broom closet also does not lend itself to visibility and/or accessibility from the rear.
Having flown both aircraft I can say that the 119 vastly outperforms the 407 anyday, even the vibrations are greater.
Last but not least, a fully specd IFR high performing single at less than 5 millions per copy?

TH-119 demo flight
 

Thanks to the Leonardo folks who arranged the TH-119 demo flight last week in Anaheim. So here are my photos from that morning...

cheers


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e36e9e266.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ef0903c01.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....cabb60cc3.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....95a4ebbb0.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....f21ad81ee.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....8269e40cf.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....4eccdbb0c.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....28b3c44da.jpeg

Airbus is formally protesting the selection of the TH-119 over their H135.

And I spoke too soon as Airbus Helicopters are contesting the decision

https://www.janes.com/article/94133/...rd-to-leonardo

The baby has thrown it’s bottle out of the cot.

Exercise options for 36 airframes
 

Additional Leonardo TH-73A as the United States Navy exercises options for another thirty six of the new helicopter trainer.

https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/p...3a-helicopters

First Th-73A delivered
 

Philadelphia, 10 June 2021 – At a ceremony on its Philadelphia campus and under the backdrop of the Stars and Stripes, Leonardo officially delivered the first TH-73A training helicopter to the U.S. Navy earlier today. The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, commander of Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet; Rear Admiral Gregory Harris, Director of Air Warfare Division (N98); and Captain Holly Shoger, Program Manager of Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program. Also attending the ceremony was Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo and members of local, state and federal elected delegations, including Congressman Donald Norcross and Philadelphia Mayor‘
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6e7e44b8c.jpeg

In the 70’s Harrier pilots used to do a few hours of helicopter training (in Whirlwinds) before they started their type training - I elieve to get them used to contribute=ogling things in a hover….?

In the 70’s Harrier pilots got used to hovering a Whirlwind before doing their type training.

Looks like that paint job is from the '70s...

I would suggest the blinding fast speed of the Whirlwind is what was prepping them for the Harrier.

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Ne...copter-system/

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Sep/2...QD784-0001.JPG