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Old 30th Jan 2024, 09:28
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teeteringhead

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Eurofighter design requirement for a gun. No longer 'need' gun so decide to take gun out.
Puts me in mind of the alleged procurement tale - many years ago - of the RAF's Wessex.

The RN already had their Mk 5s, and the RAF wanted something very similar, which became the Mk 2 (don't ask!).

The RN ones came with folding tails, which initially scared the RAF; thus:

RAF: Hello Mr Westland, we'd like some Wessex like the Mk5 please, but without the folding tail, which we think is dangerous, and is only useful on carriers.

Mr W: Well that's how it comes - with folding tail!

RAF: No, no no - can you remove the folding tail?

Mr W: Of course we can ......... but it'll cost yer.....

And so, Best Beloved, the first Mk2s were delivered without folding tails. But - lo and behold - the RAF found you could get more Wessi in a hangar with folded tails - which clearly were no longer dangerous...

RAF: Hello Mr Westland - it's me again. We've decided we DO want folding tails on our Wessex, can you retro-fit them??

Mr W: Of course we can ......... but it'll cost yer.....!!

And so they paid twice for what would have been free ..........

[And I'm not sure why they wanted smaller cabin windows either!]
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