Having just come off the Sea King and I too have been in 101 and 92, I have to say the 101 is more ready to go now. The 101 is older technology but it's proven, already marinized and folds. The 92 does not fold but with proper mods would make a great bird. Not terribly impressed with 92's ride, actually loved the 90 but that's no longer in the running.
The mods needed to ships could prove cost prohibitive and deal breakers for 92. There is no way we (DND) will get more $$$ to change to entire fleet of frigates to refuel the 92 from the other side. Bottom line, any competitor needs a machine with closed circuit refuelling receptacles on the right (starboard) side of the machine right beside the cargo door. (We need the receptacle by the cabin door so we can refuel from the hover off the ships, so either move the receptacle or the cabin door)
Also the 92 cannot have torpedoes mounted on the helo while it is in the hangar. A major pain in the rump. You have to install winglets over the sponsons to attach the torp to and can only do so out on deck. Not 100% solution for our operations and requires carrying those damn winglets along or heaven forbid, have heavy permanently mounted winglets that fold to go in and out of the hangar.
92 also deceptively top heavy on her gear, she wobbles awkwardly in turns while taxiing, very bad when sitting on a rolling ship, that needs to be addressed. Finally, the folding head for the 92 is not even designed yet. If anyone can it right it's Sikorsky but this could eat up valuable "time" to delivery.
The best machine would have been the NH90 in my books (very sexy, fast and smooth as silk) but somehow the powers to be declared it too small, whatever. Like Bladestrike says though, anything new is cool and makes us all drool so bring it on. Hell right now the lads would take the Puffin (Griffon painted Navy grey).
And Bladestrike, those poor old 61s in Halifax are 40 years old? Those big girls weren't built in 64?
One thing for sure, the S92 will be ideal for offshore and should be the leader in that field for many years to come.
My 2 cents.
PS: Speaking of patches, we had to get rid of those "Flying Yesterdays Aircraft Tomorrow" and the one with the check boxes for "Sea King at 10 years, 20 years, 35 years 50 years" so my latest patch of the "CH124 Sea King - Canada's Helikoptersaurus" didn't make it to production. Too bad, cool patch....
