Did once or twice last couple of tours.... She ain't no Spitfire, that's for sure.

If that is all you learned, you didn't really try.
If you're afraid of flying a plane that can't HO that well, then I understand. But remember, the idea is it's a learning exercise. If you are really trying to learn things, as you claim, you might consider trying it for more than one or two sorties.
Good luck.