John,
You're certainly right when you say the 11-61 should have been put in the Sea Jet some 8 - 10 years ago, albeit with the limitations discussed above. It's a sad fact that R-R were pushing as hard with the Navy to buy their engine as they were with the RAF. It's taken the latter 14 years to see the light and put it in the GR9!
Best Wishes,
A