Upon further reflection i seem to recall that (again perhaps only in the early days) the ex RN Pilots were still in the RN Reserve and therefore whilst employed as civvies were technically still in the mil and flying mil aircraft.
I also recall that the plan had originally been to have the aircraft civ registered but that the CAA would not let them do public transport winching without single engine flyaway.
Again - i stand to be corrected on any of this.
OH