BEagle,
You're in both camps as it were so I wonder if I could ask your opinion on something that has been bedevilling me for a little time now.
Whilst not sharing Force_ale's concerns about the PFI aspect of this deal, this is a major front line assett and 84 are not, therefore there will be major differences in how this fleet is manned by the military, I have a concern about numbers.
The SDR and the added on chapters all stressed the need for enhanced mobility and strategic air lift, so where is the logic in replacing 19 VC10's and 9 Tristars with a fleet i now read that is going to consist of 10 new and 6 second hand A330's?
Surely this is a major reduction in capability, not only AAR but the loss of main deck freight carrying capacity?
I think the A330 is going to be the bees knees, and the way the fleet will be managed and supported could really benefit the RAF, but 16????????