From my point of view (2.5 years Mk1 and briefly Mk7) - about time. Mk1 was a nasty under-powered device with a tail-rotor that went the rwong way, a hyd system that couldn't handle a hot day around the Hockey Stick and the very worst feature of the Wessex - the accessory drive - that should've been thrown out of the drawing office. You would've thought Wastelands had learnt a lesson from the Gnome Wessie about installing turbine engines at an angle, too...
Mk7 was introduced into service by the same 'team' that was responsible for the Chinook Mk2 MLU - the writing was on the wall (no ODM, ACM or even FRCs on entry into service for starters).
I take my hat off to the Army operators who took this bag of effluent and managed to get it airborne and (occasionally) make it work. They succeeded despite the aircraft, not because of it. Good effort, AAC and REME.
...pleased to see that the route(s) include Oakington. Give the tower a wave from Thud, will you please? Happy days.