The money to marinise the Merlin (should it happen) is not RAF or Navy money per se, it is Cap ALM money to spend - as is any money required for any future Chinooks. The running costs would be met by Fleet or Army RP (can't remember which one funds CHF). The Merlin fleet is due to enter a CSP/LEP programme in the next few years anyway - this move would likely just broaden the scope of that work.

I think, quietly, the RAF would be quite pleased to pass its' Merlin to the RN. The WAFUs can then be wholly in receipt of AW's legendary "after sales service", and it would give the posters more flexibility in moving people around.

The RAF 3/3a does not fold (blade or tail). They were both traded out at an early stage to save money and to claw back some performance. Any CHF cab will need an appreciable performance uplift (engines/transmission) to "buy back" the weight increase of marinisation.

The Sims at Benson are, I believe, modular - thus the Merlin sim bases would probably stay in place with the cockpits replaced by extra CH47/FMH(??) with the merlin cockpits re-cycled onto new bases at Yeovs or Culdrose (assuming CAE are contracted to do the job). Would be a good idea to run a big broadband link between the sims so that the CHF could join in with the Benson sims for collective training.

Evalu8ter has it spot on. As an example of the weight-save measures, pretty much all the tie down points have been removed from 3/3A. If folk are getting to that level for performance increase, you just know the GB / engine combo won't hack it.

And in answer to Vecvechookattack's question, yes, the green variety does have the plumbing for the flot gear fitted, just needs the bags.

Which it does.:ok: