Thanks Rotary Girl,
All the convolutions and mis-statements with changes of plan coming from the MoD left me none-the-wiser. Having mainly seen this whole debacle only on TV, there always did seem to be some really obvious unanswered questions (although the reporters also seem to love to cover any bungling or contradictions! - deserved in this case). It just shows that when the aim keeps changing then delay is inevitable.
Joe public would find it hard to make sense of this story, hence my original post of when will they actually be out of the hangar (in whatever form) and in service/training/op (doing a useful military task)?
Lastly, the TV said they had 'never flown'. What never? I assume they at least have done some test flights or routine engine run-ups to keep them in trim? probably fantasy that last one.
Flug