TC,
1/ The Royal Navy technicians don't "wrestle" with the tail rotor, it works.
2/ The new tail rotor doesn't have a design flaw, it comes off for bay service, then it goes back on; no drama.
3/ The Canadians STILL don't have an adequate support package for the aircraft.
4/ Provide your source for the 50 hr to 1hr ratio, don't forget we do what are called "flexops" in the RN, this is a deliberate "overmaintenance (in some people's eyes) and is often reported as such.
I loved the Seaking, I had my doubts about the Merlin, but now I'm sold. Jump on one of the bus tours around Culdrose for spotters and visit 824, see the lads and lasses put these aircraft into the sky day after day. Ask the people who actually work on them instead of repeating old, innacurate and unsupported comments and articles.
Cheers