@ Bandoleer's #20
In an interview with Flight at Farnborough, Ed Shipman said they'd soon be fitting one of the flight test aircraft with hose units, to find out if there's any effect on handling. Already they've done some formation work, to see what the slipstream's like in the "getting" position, which showed up no problems. He didn't say whether any fuel would be passed in the near future.
He also mentioned that they would soon be starting trials with a "mocked up" rough and pebbly strip at Toulouse before going to a real "rough strip".
While the RAF will "induct" (as a current, if unlovely, term is) the A400M in their own inimitable way, its other customers and operators certainly have some tasks and strips for which its capabilities will be needed, well away from 11000 feet of tarmac. So if you want dramatic shots of a work-horse working, look for other national markings ?