Walter, you haven't taken over from JP or bast0n as chief MOD apologist by any chance? I only ask as their fall back position was always to make some incredible statement and simply stick to it. The talk in Chinook crewrooms in those days was of little else than the problems that the new Mk2 was bringing with it, especially uncommanded power excursions (ie FADEC problems) and even jammed flying controls (ie "broom cupboard" problems). That's not of course from my own experience but from those who flew it and have stated as much on this thread. To say that didn't happen to the aircraft on the previous day, or even earlier that day is rather like saying that the Nimrod performed flawlessly right up to when it exploded. We now know that it had been ready to do just that for years, that its very construction meant that it was an accident waiting to happen. Thus it was with the Chinook Mk2, Walter. In a word it was unairworthy.
As to maps I am indebted to you for the very same.
Chinook - Still Hitting Back 3 (Merged) The overwater leg, ie flying between landmasses, is shorter from Aldergrove to the Mull than any other. From the Mull they could hug the coast, and as Bertie reminds us this was a helicopter and could force land if necessary. I suspect that was their intention, but the aircraft was to have the last word...