one reason the tiger was selected was due to the fact that one crashed with an Aussie crew and although the tiger was totally destroyed the crew escaped without injuries about 6 months before the decision was made for which type. the Ah-1Z was because it was still in early development. the tiger was chosen over others because it was the only aircraft that fitted into replace the gunship equipped Huey’s and the Kiowa’s roll in the role of recon.

The Tiger crash had no bearing on the choice. It crashed while trying to go inverted… The pilot ws showing an Aussie pilot what it could do, many had see it do a loop over the Sydney opera house. The crew didnt let a full crew fly the bird as that is just silly, it was a French pilot and an Aussie in the gunners seat.

Bell brought a mock Viper down and a Whiskey which was new off the line. Even then the RAN and the government had issues with the skids. Bell was asked if they could put wheels on the airframe instead of the skids, this was when Bell challenged the competition and said it was biased against Bell for offering a skidded helo. Air87 was susspended pending the court outcome. The court found in favour of the government and Bell refused to participate again.