Originally Posted by
teeteringhead
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!]
But then the RAF “borrowed” RN Wessex 5s (complete with their folding tails) for pilot training…. so those of my era never flew a Mk2.