Engines
The UK has not 'committed to' STOVL - we are still officially in 'wait and see' mode', although STOVL is stated as our 'preferred option' - clear as mud, right? ...Assertions and facts - 'high level industry participation in JSF' is not a direct link to UK buying STOVL.
Well that's clear enough, but the CRS report to congress; dated October 25 2007 puts a rather different slant on it.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL30563.pdf explicitly says
..The costs and complications of pursuing the STOVL variant (including reducing weight growth) are leading some to suggest that the JSF program would be more feasible and more affordable if the F-35B were cancelled. In this case, the Marine Corps would buy the CV JSF instead of the STOVL variant. ...Others point out that cancelling the STOVL version of JSF is complicated by the United Kingdom’s investment in the program and its requirement for a STOVL aircraft...The United Kingdom needs the STOVL design to operate off their aircraft carriers and only plans on purchasing the STOVL design for both their Air Force and Navy.
In addition the UK is identified as the only 'Tier 1' participant, with a 2 Billion investment in the project.
JF
Yes indeed, things have changed since the 50s, and a good thing to. However, it would be interesting to see what actual Ark Royal F4 Bucc losses were in the 1970s.
cheers JJ