Wrath,
The RAF system used to be more complicated than that - maybe it still is. The RAF system was based on things like the following: core working day, entitled training time, duty time, leave time, sickness time etc etc. it is why an RAF sqn always seemed over-manned compared to an RN sqn and why there were always more RAF people on training courses than the RN - training time etc was built into the "white ticket" calculation whereas in the RN it wasn't/isn't. RN manning is based around the "watch and station bill" and the ability to man 2 defence watches at sea - core working day etc did not come into it.
Re NSW and 6 month tours....if they were under RN control they would have done, but they were operating an RAF roulement. The issue above is also why 800 and 801 struggled to achieve full manning and hence formation - the RAF insisted on areas of manning on sqqns that the RN structure did not support - QFIs being a classic example.
Odigron,
You may not agree with the RN system but the facts speak for themselves...the RN is the leanest manned Service and when the financial stops are visible then what is the case for the RAF system of manning. It is interesting that RN PVR rates were always amongst the lowest in the 3 Services so the 1 in 3 system can't be that bad.