MReyn24050, your memory is better than mine!
Mind you I am sure there are still restrictions and a certain amount of confusion regarding what the limits are when about operating at the higher MAUW ( the figure of 1% of the life comes to mind), I hope that the introduction of the HC Mk2 will overcome this problem also.
The MAUM of the Mk2 will be 7400kg, without restriction, in line with models like the 330J and 330L. The airframe is quite capable of taking 7.4, it is the lack of SE performance of the 3C4s that limits the mk1 to 7t. There will also be no need for the 1% restriction either. The proposed scheme also involves a rewire of the entire airframe, this will reduce the basic weight, so there will be an effective payload increase of, I think, around 500 kgs (if that figure is wrong I'm sure someone will correct me!).
If the final product actually enters service with the current design intact, it will be a huge step up from the Mk1. We must wait and see whether it survives contact with the enemy first!
Blackhawk9
i'm sure the RAF could buy them cheap and the guys at 33 sqn would be happy with second hand Aussie Blackhawks over refurbed Pumas.
I'm sure the RAF could, and you would have to ask 33 whether they would be happy or not, but by the time you have established a Blackhawk IPT, set up supply contracts, paid QinetiQ vast sums of money to certify them iaw Def Stan blah blah blah, modified them to meet UK requirements for avionics, comms etc, had QinetiQ recertify it after the mods have been modded, written the RTS, set up an OCU, found a simulator somwehere, trained the QHIs in the US, trained the engineers in the US etc etc, they won't actually be that cheap, or that quick.