WEBF and FODPlod,
The significant cost of 'contract' Harriers would better focussed on paying for CV deck and operational experience (current and proposed) over the next decade.
Keeping a STOVL carrier warm is somewhat valid if the future is F-35B. But. Isn't it more of an unwanted distraction if those same people you want to keep warm in some kind of deck ops on a CVS with a rented Harrier doing circuits might be better employed in a CVN or CDG doing what we will actually be doing in 2020(ish)?
What was that great scene in Saving Private Ryan where the American and the German were fighting in a house (with another American burbling at the foot of the stairs)? In the final throws of the fight, they end up on the floor with a dagger between them; German holding it - American fending it off by holding the German's arm. Finally, the German overcomes the American and slowly the dagger pierces the American's heart with the German whispering 'shush....shush...' as the American's life ebbs away (German walks down the stairs past the other American and buggers off.)
Maybe it really is time for this thread to quietly die now? It's just not helping.
FB11
P.S I don't know who the German would be (F-35C?) or even the blubbering American (F-35B?) but the rest of the scene sort of fits.