Can someone explain why the VC10K should be used in this trial?
The A400M or Grizzley or whatever it's to be called, (I personally like "Airtruck" as it is a freighter, and it goes well with "Airbus" - the version used by SLF!) is not going to be in service for years - 2016 perhaps??
The VC10 ought to (at last!) have been put "out to grass" before then so testing compatability would be better with two platforms whose service lives are going to coincide. Wouldn't it be more representative to use an A330T, KC767 or whatever?
The VC10 is also known for being a rather benign "donor" as far as tankers go and less of a challenge to the "receiver" than say a Tristar or KC-135. Perhaps this is the reason?
Just curious....
MB