There has been some serious knee-jerk reactions and misinformed opinion on this thread.
Bobstuck. Thanks for posting your extremely lucid reply, but the answer is obvious!
This story has been in the public domain for days now and there has been no "official" comment about a reported "swap" of historic aircraft. Surely it had to be patently obvious that such an emotive issue as the BBMF is of high importance to military flying enthusiasts such as on here and many other similar websites? Nothing had appeared on the BBMF website or from RAF sources. The
PR Dept had obviously been caught asleep on the job and still haven't put out an official version.
Now we know from your statement that the swap will not happen until the Indian Hurricane is airworthy at the cost of the Indian Air Force. That allays many of our concerns, but the fact remains that there are aircraft which are of historic importance to this Country and more should be here, not the same number or less.
Despite the best will and care, inevitably some of these airframes are going to either meet with an accident or need extensive down time to maintain them in flying condition. The more airframes to spread the load, the longer they may continue to fly, performing as star attractions wherever they appear, whether Air Shows or Remembrance ceremonies.
That's my underlying concern, having to face a time when we WON''T have a Lancaster, Spitfire or Hurricane flying. I don't see a Dakota or Chipmunk as having anything like the emotive pull (even if re-engined with Merlins just to keep the sound alive!!).
Perhaps it is time for a complete re think as to what airframes need to be retained in flying condition and to find means of ensuring they stay that way.