Downwind
A good question, not sure what the MOD answer would be. I flew the FGR2 for 2500 hrs but never the FG1. From my friends, pilot and navigator, yes the FGR2 would have been a better jet for Northern QRA.
INAS align times were never a problem when on RS10. In RAFG on RS05 it was all the more of a challenge.
I flew in the RCP for over 300 sorties and a well maintained and well aligned INAS was pretty good. 1mile drift/hour was average. Not great for dropping a bomb but OK for finding home after 7hrs in the IFG.
The fact that the FG1s stayed at Leuchars was, most probably, due to a lack of understanding at HQ11 Gp band MOD. ( By the way, we didn't want those rusty old Navy jets at EGXC or EGXW, and they were not suited to RAFG where only the best was acceptable).
Answers welcome.