Originally Posted by
Trumpet_trousers
Do HM Forces aircraft still get washed as part of routine maintenance/pre-delivery to contractors for phased servicing etc?
I can't speak for anything but UK C-17s which get sent here to San Antonio for depot maintenance. But when UK C-17s arrive here we (the contractor) do a thorough post flight inspection and then a very thorough wash. And by thorough I mean using hot water/detergents and pressure washers. The wash is so thorough that the aircraft needs to be regreased before leaving the wash rack. The aircraft then go to the depaint hangar to have the paint either scuffed or entirely removed.