Smudge,
I think you may be correct in your assumption ref the autopilot. It had not been cleared by Boscombe before the 'K' entered service and this was the way it was for almost a year. So the pilots had to hand fly and down the route this became tiring. So we all had a go in the co's seat. As I already had a PPL this was fine straight and level but landing would have been 'interesting'. Later on I did several 'arrivals' but only in the sim.
The UK's insistence on replacing the US avionics with UK kit did cause a few problems. I recall looking at an ADF receiver on an early 'K' and it had BOAC stickers on it. And of course the fire warning coming on when we transmitted on certain frequencies on the HF. This could also cause the Doppler to unlock.
Will will not mention the CCWR will we ?