It seems to me when one makes comparisons with the
Belfast and other heavy lifters, that had the RAF got
them 40 years ago,and if a sufficient number had been
aquired,say 70+ they would have still be flying today.
They would have course have vastly uprated engines
probably external fuel tanks a la Hercs,and who knows
maybe they would have been exported to foreign air
forces,stranger things have happened.Also we would
have saved a huge amount of money and maybe,
because we still had the expertise,developed a follow
up model and been one of the leaders in the heavy-lift
field.
Just another missed chance thanks to our politcal
masters.
Regards