i'm not saying the Junglies aren't capable of converting, like you say it is only an aircraft change. That's not to say that Merlin won't be a bit of a frustration for you guys !
My main point is it all leaves a bit of a bitter taste because if Mk4 doesn't go ahead, the RAF is effectively losing trained operators all for the sake of RN having an aircraft that isn't really what they require. The whole point of it going, as briefed, was that it had to be marinised and if that doesn't happen then why not just stop the whole process and give them something else (eg 14x new chinooks) thereby reducing the cost of retraining 2 sets of crews ?
Of course it is only my opinion that Mk4 marinisation will not happen because the money isn't there - if i'm wrong and it does then the full cost needs to be made fully transparent.