Hi Mycroft
B707 approx 200 in service with 30 operators, mainly government/military + 600 C135+variants in USAF service
Comet=Nimrod, 24 in RAF Service
V2=SS1 (Scud) still in service
Notice...Gov 'Service'. Now, do governments/militaries care about fuel efficiency, noise pollution, as for-profit companies adhering to market discipline MUST? I operated military transport for 9 years (C-141A); one of my great memories, during the fuel 'crisis' of the early '70's, was slowing to M.74 from M.78 for enroute trips, yet being REQUIRED (as a local training IP at McGuire AFB) to fly a certain amount of time at the end of a quarter to fill allotted time, regardless of training requirements. One IP at McGuire was told to fly 3.8 hours, for 3 2&2's (6 approaches and landings). He finished in 1.3 hours, terminated "in the interest of fuel savings", and was immediately 'rewarded' with an immediate downgrade from IP status. Does anyone think anything has changed? Yes, Concorde can fly with government support; BFD, the Brabazon could also, as well as the R101. Those 3 make a trio.