Vygg,

The decision to drop out of the 609 was Boeing Vertols. No doubt with
some influence by Harry Stonecipher. Per the provisions of the
partnership contract, by dropping out Boeing was obligated to turn over
at zero cost to Bell all hardware and enginering they had created.

Originaly this appeared to be a windfall to Bell. But over the past
five years Bell and their new partner Agusta have been forced to
redesign almost every part originally designed or specified by Boeing.
In their rush to justfiy all the money they had spent, Boeing Vertol
managers (not the engineers) demanded the release of engineering that
had more in common with fantasy than fact.

One 609 supplier to Boeing told me that when when they responded to a
critical RFP technical requirement "What you are requesting defies the
laws of known physics!" Boeing managers responded "You are awarded the
contract to develop this device". Turns out that they were the only
ones to respond at all to the RFP. Bell ended up scrapping all Boeing
engineering for this design and starting from scratch. Kept the same
supplier though. Honesty has its rewards.

Take care,

CTR