Nige, totally agree your comment re the CAS. Why he just doesn't retire and flog Typhoons for BAE instead of merely promoting them while in post I'm not sure, but I suspect the nub is all down to timing. Meanwhile part of the RAF is at war and his interests seem to centre on the part that isn't. We are a long way from the Falklands War, where the MOD, as well as the Armed Forces, mobilised itself and industry onto a war footing. One only has to study the reports you quote of the Laurel and Hardy job done on the Ks to realise how far we have to go. When the Nimrods are done, as done they must be, let us for goodness sake be professional for a change!