BEagle, can you lay hands on James Hamilton Paterson's Empire of the Clouds? The quotes and declined quotes* are very well laid out and I'd love to know how you interpreted John Farley's opinions from the quotes vs your personal contact. I of course have no first hand knowledge at all.
I'm loathe to quote the book without J H-P's approval though I'm sure I can say John Farley did not approve of TSR2 primarily because "It didn't have enough wing".
I'll read it again tomorrow.
*implying he wouldn't quote without permission.