It only seems like a short decade ago that all at Ice Station Zebra were excited at getting to keep the mighty hunter for another 100 years or so. Could not have the kipper fleet using props could we, too many similarities to the navies ships. How times change.
I did like the one that the MR4 was to be sold to overseas operators...almost fell of my chair.
I guess that the entry into service date will become one of those never answered questions, just like the one about what does an AEO really do?
I am sure that all this design problems could be solved in the VPI bar over a barrel or two. Shame that would not answer the AEO question as well!