The REASON that BA had more incidents than AF was because BA both operated more A/C (7 as opposed to 5) and flew infinitely greater hours.
Whatever was the reason, the fact is that there were enough occurrences to take appropriate actions from a CAA & manufacturer point of view.
but any damage done was relatively minor
You call this minor?
1981 Impacts on wing, Tank 5 penetrated, Hydraulics, Elevon, Engines 1/2/3
1985 Impacts on fuselage, damage to brake, Tank 5 penetrated, Engines 1 and 2, Deflector+I67
1988 Loss of wheel bolts, Impacts on wing, Tank 7 damaged
1993 Impacts on wing, Tank 8 penetrated, Green hydraulics, Engine 3, Deflector
1993 Impacts on wing, Deflector, Tank 1 penetrated
And get your facts right before you make such statements about something you clearly know nothing about
What is untrue in my statement and what make you think I know nothing about it?
By the way the issue with the missing spacer wasn't on the takeoff phases but during the landings preceding the accident...