Nige, as you say an independent MAA must work. If it literally cannot work with legacy aircraft then they must be excluded from its remit and remain by implication unairworthy! What an indictment of the MOD and those charged with the implementation of military airworthiness regulations. What a betrayal of those who have to go on operating such types, and those NOK who have fought so tenaciously to ensure that the avoidable accidents that their loved ones died in should not be repeated. What is there now to prevent that? The MOD? The RAF higher command? I wouldn't buy one of Squidlord's used cars off of either one!