Engines - we're in agreement. My point was that Hammond (or rather his briefers) suggesting that operating helos together with f/w was somehow easier with STOVL compared to CTOL on a deck of QEC size was stretching the actualite - not that the RN (and the Crabs if they're aboard) couldn't do it. I think the record on a CVS was 22 cabs, including 10 SHAR which must have been "fun"......
As you say, let them get on with it - please God with no more interference.
Cokecan/WEBF - the decision on Ocean vs Lusty has been made and I doubt it'll be reversed. Irrespective of the material state of Ocean a complement of sub-300 vs one of 600+ has a logic all its own.