So, we have already determined we need usb-modeswitch (and usb-modeswich-data) to kick the dongle out of its silly install mode (12d1:14fe) and to present the actual network interface it provides (12d1:1c1e).

Seems that when it *did* work in a VM it worked with CDC_NCM, and a 2.6.x kernel .... newer 3.x kernels seem to be a little stroppier about unrecognised CDCs. More research required. *sigh*