NaB,
Thanks for persevering, that was a very useful post. I absolutely agree that a V-22 MROL would eat up a lot of deck space and quite probably involve some reshuffling of the deck park - and your assessment of available manpower is also spot on.
You're also right that the very small air groups that the UK is planning to embark on QEC will leave plenty of deck space.
I think we're violently agreeing, where I may part company from you is my belief that with a flight deck area close to the original Forrestal and a small air group, the RN will have more flexibility than most to try MROLs. In any case, I'd see the V-22 STO as delivering more payload advantages than an MROL (LO's point, well made).
Incidentally, the space under the ramp on CVS was converted into a messdeck (for the embarked SHAR units, naturally). One of the noisier spots to try to get some sleep....
Best Regards as ever
Engines