XV227
This aircraft was indeed removed from service to be used as spares recovery ( in an attempt to restock empty shelves) and subsequent conversion to MRA4. However, it's just the fuselage which is being "re-used" and will undergo a strict examination and repair scheme prior to being matched up with the new wings, as have PAs 1,2 & 3. It's worth pointing out at this juncture that the main corrosion and fatigue problems with the old jet are mainly in the wings so the use of a refurbished fuselage is not such an issue as people think. That of course is not to say that there is no corrosion on the fuselage and that yes, it has suffered from fatigue, particularly during pressurisation. The examination and repair programme is designed to rectify any of these associated problems and indeed, some extensive re-skinning work has taken place. I suspect that any sceptics would be surprised to see the final product.