is it possible to do the meat bombing thing in the UK on a ICAO ppl licence or would it need converting!?
Read the ANO section I quoted.
As a point referring to parachutists as 'meat bombs' is not an ideal way to endear yourself to parachute dropping clubs if you are looking for work. In addition to the experience mentioned above most clubs require the pilots to be parachutists so they understand the spot and the things that effect the run in.
Parachute dropping is a true commercial process and how the pilot operates effects directly the operating costs.
If you take a twin turbine aircraft that is using 100l per side per lift based on a 20 minute cycle to 15,000ft, 4 minutes extra per lift over a 5 lift cycle will cost the equivalent of giving away a lift every cycle. Over a 5 cycle day that is a whole cycle lost which would equate to around 75 lost jumps and the aircraft cost as well.
Parachute pilots need to be 100% accurate on every drop, need perfect situational awareness and exceptional aircraft handling skills. Imagine flying a multi engine aircraft that weighs several thousand pounds on the edge of the stall asymmetric with half a dozen people clinging to the outside............