Cannot bettr Fr O'Blivien for the tech bit, but the mil version flew just the same - actually even more manoeuvrable 'cos it was lighter. Fighter affil in the wocker was awesome, even 2 A10's had difficulty, and power margins impressive. On leaving the fleet to go to Gazelles was told to expect sports car - ugh! Chinook was faster, more fun and could lift more than almost anything else we have in the mil (I don't know about Merlin). It could even fly for ages with the overload tanks on. Odiham - Nimes or 7 hours over the Atlantic (Air India SAR), and the seat was even comfortable.
Yes I miss it - great aircraft, shame about the reputation.
Pertama