Thanks for your responses. I am aware I was being a little simplistic, but when you see those buggers being thrown around, it does make one think of airframe longevity.
Great aircraft from a standing on the ground perspective, looks good in flight, and carves throught the turns 'with the greatest of ease'
My goal in '78 was to be a FLEM (Might as well set those sights high!) and work on them at Valley with my mate, but I got siphoned off into a higher pay band. Oh well, never mind...