This was debated back in 2006. Tim Collins admitted that the article was a stunt.
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...s-bin-raf.html
Post number 14 by airsound
'Collins is OK after all
Well, for anyone who didn't hear the programme (stand in an orderly line now), that nice Colonel said something rather interesting.
He described his call for RAF abolition as an "unfortunate Irishism", and he said "I don't want to disband the RAF."
He went on to describe his words about abolition as a stunt - a stunt to provoke "dull-minded ministers" into waking up and making the necessary choices - choices to rescue the defence budget from its current crisis.
I for one was very happy to hear him say those words, because I find him an admirable man, and I had been sad to hear his original abolition call.
I notice that You n Yours elected to interview him separately, and not to have him in the phone-in bit.'
TJ