BoB criteria?
John,
Not sure of the criteria for BoB aircraft qualification, especially as you mention the other types. Personally, I think that the name is a great ploy to keep the unit running and funded by the RAF, in the same way as the RN have named the carriers QE and PoW rather than the great names of old such as Ark Royal or Invincible etc. Notwithstanding the contracts old one eye set us up with, the names make them more difficult to cut (not impossible) as it will incite quite a bit of public outcry if it did happen. Whereas the RN FAA have the RNHF, they decided not to have a FA2/FRS1 (on disbandment in 2006) on their books owing to the complexity/cost. The BoB may be able to fund a GR, but not being in those circles I can only speculate. But I would imagine that it would be too costly/complex to run and we know the dangers of lack of currency on such a machine...
Regards,
ABTE