BEagle the difference is that all the other Air Forces you mention can afford (or are willing to invest) in "new build" aircraft. The UK will sadly end up with an oddball (count how many RB211 powered 767's grace the sky) ex airliner, with all its best years & flying hours used up! It all sounds like the TriStar vs KC10 all over again, BA had the aircraft to dispose of so thats what we got!!!!