Jacko
Was any attempt made to find a buyer for the aircraft (Saudi, perhaps?)
Without a domestic user, it'll be near impossible to sell the MRA4s to anyone.
Was any consideration given to providing aircraft to Boscombe to replace their BAC One Elevens and other large aircraft types?
No idea on this one. But without an MAR or CAA certification, what could Boscombe do with it? And why would MRA4 be a better platform than the 1-11s? And if the 1-11s are to be replaced, is MRA4 the correct platform? The fact they're being chopped up suggests that the answer is "No".
Was any consideration given (at this late stage) to migrating the R.Mk 1 kit over to three of the airframes, which would surely have been cheaper than the RC-135 scheme, and would have given an autonomous national capability 'no worse' that R.Mk 1?
Jacko, give it up. People who know far more about this than either of us are convinced that the RJ option is the right one. Let it go!
Why wasn't an MPA capability felt to be worth the uncommitted money?
What uncommitted money? MoD would be fascinated to hear about this!
S41