Doc,
The question you ask was asked by the ALM fraternity at the time. Bearing in mind nearly all crewman at that time had had massive exposure to the LHS, had operated exclusively in the single pilot role, been responsible for low level nav etc etc there would have been no real training requirement for the guys to move into the LHS.
However the implication of a "baldrick" in a driving seat in an RAF aircraft, bearing in mind you guys are crewed the way you are, was too politically sensitive.........would it have led to a harder look at NCO pilots..who knows.
SH needed someone for the LHS and Navs were in abundance at that time. As I have said before on the whole they were top geezers but I will always regret not being afforded the chance the situation offered.
However now happy in Wilts on the J which gives me time to come in here and swap banter with other fellow pruners
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced