Ratty,
Don'tya just love those Airbus guys. I remember some of the conversations when we were getting the -B4s and others when they were trying to sell us the 320/321 series as freighters. The 'we know better what you want than you do' attitude.
Me (talking 321) 'We want the cargo door back a bit so we can counter balance in Posn. 1 on the ground'
Them 'We see no reason for that'
Me 'Oh really? What was the last cargo aircraft you loaded?'
Them 'Er' SIlence 'But nobody has complained about the A300'
At that point I gave up!
RT