Visitors to the GKN Westland exhibit this week will be able to take a walk-in tour of an EH101 medium lift helicopter, thanks to a full scale multi-role cabin demonstrator on display at Farnborough for the first time.
"It gives potential customers a chance to see the different ways the aircraft can be configured depending on the types of mission they require," says Westland. "They will be able to see the SAR role with the stretcher capability and how the cabin space compares with competitors' aircraft."
The demonstrator will be manned by RAF pilots to give visitors a first-hand account of the EH101's operational performance.
Production
A total of 98 of the Anglo-Italian helicopters have now been ordered by Canada, Italy, Japan and the UK.
In addition to the demonstrator, the combined Westland/Agusta team has an EH101 civil utility helicopter in Canadian SAR livery on display, together with a production version of the EH101 Merlin HM1 in the static park. The Merlin, due to enter service with Britain's Royal Navy later this year will also take part in the afternoon flying displays, the first time a production model has flown at a major airshow.
Seven aircraft have been delivered to the Royal Navy out of a total order of 44, while the Mk3 version for the Royal Air Force will make its maiden flight next month.
Source: Flight Daily News
