Gents, gents, gents
Topcover is a very good idea - I have many in my log book from SAR trails to shepherding a 100Kts Sea King home from 200+ miles off shore (Not easy at 200Kts-lots of dog legs). Even went out to meet a helo trogging down from Kef and followed her back.
However, that was a while ago. I seem to fell that, once we went to a 2hr call out time, the number of helo top covers reduced dramatically. Shame, nothing worse than waiting to go flying, and not. (Not wishing ill on mariners etc. Bit like being an Ambulance Paramedic - a job is good for you, but bad for the poor injured person!)
And as for spares - I recommend you read Vulcan 607. I was astounded, it was my life only 25 years ago.
Can do, will do, have to do - that's all there is. No maliciousness, no weak leadership (a little misunderstanding perhaps), but years of reduced funding and not being able to justify to the Politicians maintenance of a capability that doesn't appear to be required.
Tappers Dad. I do sympathise with you tremendously. I lost friends and wish there had been a way of avoiding it - of course, for the grace of God, it could have been me for I would have flown equally willingly. I'm afraid I can't see any one root cause. We had hoped, (and the precautions we took to reduce the risk of fire worked), hoped that one of last year's fuel leaks would provide the answer to XV230. It didn't. The aeroplane is just old. I hope you get the answer you need. You may not be ultimately satisfied, because I don't believe there is an answer. But PLEASE, don't get involved in all the other speculation on this site - it appears to degrade your core search.
We will remember them. Rest well.
Snow Dog