Being a bit thick here (and I have read the whole of the thread!), but lets just confirm that these new Merlins (of whatever spec) will be flown only by RAF crews conducting an accelerated training programme at Benson?
Is this purely to alleviate the issues raised on Ops and in the NAO report and not the SABR/FASH/FRC (whatever we are calling it this month)? I know that they are all linked but does this mean that the Sea King drivers will have to continue with that airframe for many years to come?
Will it at least free up the ageing Sea King to atleast return to sea in its designed role (ideally WAFUs do the Amphib sea stuff and Crabs do the Land stuff - as we know, not always the case - but ideally!).
However, I do feel a bit of sadness for the Sea King guys that have been waiting and waiting and waiting for something a bit more capable - and now they see us having another slice of the BH/SH funding pie.
Have read this right or is there something that I am missing?