Originally Posted by
FODPlod
2007 - RAF takes delivery of first aircraft...
No, not so much, initial Typhoon deliveries to the RAF (to 17(R) Sqn) began in 2003 under the Case White contract, this provided initial support and training while 29(R) got up to speed and before they moved to Coningsby in July 2005...
Whilst Typhoon's development has also been somewhat glacial, much of that is down to the partner nation's procrastination, Germany in particular in the early years and also a lack of financial commitment, the F-35 on the other hand has never suffered any financial constraints which have impacted it's development, in fact it's more or less had money thrown at it constantly!
-RP