ship ops
Agreed that the Mk3 does not have the full suite of mods required for prolonged ship ops however the baiscs (including corrosion reisstance) are there, it is built into the basic design, manufacturing methods and choice of materials.
The Mk1 requirement was operating off 'small' ships in serious sea states hence its specialised deck handling gear and undercarriage (including sprag brakes etc) and automatic folding system.
The necessary ship op requirements for a CHF variant would likely be MRH folding and probably Tail fold, and not much else. Some changes to oleo characteristsics MAY be necessary but unless operations on FFG/DD is required probably not, likewise a decklock wouldn't be necessary. So the actual changes to baseline Mk3 standard are small.
It would seem sensible to me to have the Mk3/3A fleet retained by the RAF but with mods for ship deployment and with suitably trained air/ground crew (i.e make 28 and 78 'maritime SH' sqns with a primary role of shore ops but with the skills and kit necessary for ship deployment IF AND WHEN needed).
As we will soon only have Ocean and Argus left now we really need a dedicated CHF force with all the overheads that entails?, after all AH is still an Army asset but goes shipborne (as do the Chinooks)
DM