Stoppers, the Italians are very glad to have their tanker-spec C-130s because Ol' Bubba Boeing still hasn't been able to get the dismal KC-767I to work properly....
So I doubt whether they'd agree to releasing the only tanker platforms they currently have which actually work....
Given a few more years in the sand and it won't be just the C-130Ks which will be totally shagged out. So I would envisage a slow 1:1 A400M:C-130
J programme. Numbers don't add up? Yes, but, thanks to the sandaholics, there will be a whole herd of CH-47s looking for a role in life post-2014....
Had Marshalls ever been capable of giving the TriStar a multi-hose capability, then the VC10 (apart from 'those' 3 K3s...
) would certainly be facing early retirement. Whereas now I would envisage the VC10 adopting a 'tanker-only' role pretty soon - and the TriStar being used increasingly less as a tanker. Particularly if the cost of operating TriStar and FSTA together comes under closer scrutiny.
My ears tell me that a certain FSTA organisation has a contractual clause in place which will make the UK A400M's use as a tanker somewhat problematic - except, perhaps, for refuelling helicopters...
A task for which a KC-27J with a lightweight fusleage refuelling unit would be far better employed.....
By the way, will you be at Wyton on Friday?