Not a Boffin,
Although we all know that Merlin is not the answer - as many know it is certainly better than the current airframe. But be careful at a time of SDR and financial constraints in making the whole evolution appear too difficult and costly.
Get your foot in the door (hopefully with improved engine performance) and then start the SHOL and marinisation process. You (the Fisheads) can even start talking about force mixes (CH47/Merlin) if you really want.
But all in time, and if a CH47 can remain decked park on the O Boat, then as an interim measure I am sure that a Merlin can offer a limited IOC (for the right price I am sure that QQ will clear a Mk3 pretty quickly for a limited SHOL). Here and now (i.e. today) lets start the ball rolling with increasing the lift, through more CH47.
And if CHF doesn't want Merlin, then I am sure that it can join a light blue CH47 double earmarked amphib wing ready for when HMS Prince of Wales becomes an LPH with CH47 capable lifts.
And we all know how well double earmarking works
