Thanks Smcka et al, I may have found a temp solution in my alladins cave of parts. I too have a local corty pipe setup complete in the parts bin, but UK models have a totally different setup, union is on the heater bubble and uses single flare fittings (unlike local double flare).
So i can get the beast mobile (sans booster which is cactus, hence my dismantling and snapped pipe). Anyone got a VH44 booster they want to sell? I am completely over Girling Powerstop boosters!