Many years ago, when the decision was announced that the Nimrod replacement would be a re-winged, re-engined, re-systemed Nimrod, I turned to my nearest and dearest and said "They must be barking mad! Why would anyone with anything between the ears think that totally re-engineering a 1940s airframe design offers a sensible way ahead? It will be late, over budget, over weight and it won't work!"
It gives me no satisfaction at all that my prophesy turned out to be entirely correct. I am just dismayed that this project has turned into yet another sad indictment of BWOS and the defence procurement system (sic!).
As an example of just how deluded some senior people were at the time, I actually recall hearing a BWOS director talking about the export potential of the new Nimrod. Er, yes............!
It's just another scandalous waste of taxpayers' money and meanwhile the poor guys at Kinloss have to try and operate and maintain obsolete kit without adequate resources.
What a pity no-one is ever accountable for such fiascos.