I also seem to remember, from my dim and distant past, that a friend of mine, ex boss of 820 Merlin Sqn, went to the good 'ole US of A to test fly the Osprey.
His impression was extremely favourable and the info from Thales at the time was that all aircraft lifts were to be made the correct dimensions to take the Osprey. Which has a remarkably small footprint when folded.
Osprey AEW perhaps?
(Sad that the Osprey looks like it's having a dump
At least we had the excuse of rushing the MK2 AEW in for the Falklands, whats Boeings excuse for the jury rig structure?)