I was one of those who contributed financially to the group organised by Paul Wesson to obtain Counsel's Opinion in 1997. The bottom line was that we didn't have a viable case. To quote the counsel retained, Anthony Peto:
"I am afraid that there is no basis at all in law for a legal challenge to the current pension rules in so far as they relate to the relative retired pay of specialist aircrew and other flying officers"
There were all sorts of rumours about out of court settlements arrived at by individuals. This was categorically denied by MoD and in the light of the Opinion we received would seem unlikely. If anyone cares to file an FoI request on the matter and prove me wrong I should be very interested to read the response.
The system has obviously changed significantly since those days and so has legislation.
YS