GiC,
The ASW SK was somewhat limited (you're right, 6000lb was about it) with so much ASW kit onboard. ISTR about 13000lb+ as an empty weight, mauw then was 20500lb, not a lot to spare! We were tasked to pick up a couple of Speys out of Gan in their stands, easily 6k, the only way we managed was about 30min of fuel, and 0600 when the temp was still below 30C
No doubt the junglie SK's have a much better capability. Re the Carson S61's they put a couple in here a year or so ago, a chum who got endorsed reckoned they could cruise pretty close to Vne, but with max forward cyclic. I wonder what that does for the flight control run and head, in the long run?