Mariner - thanks for a really interesting post.
Slightly off topic, but I have to respond to Vc10tail's comment "In my view, the DC-10 is one of the worst designed airplanes to ever come down the pike".
I thought it was a beautiful aircraft and a delight to fly. However, I may be biased as it was also the last large aircraft I ever flew after Laker went bust almost exactly 30 years ago.
Last edited by Old and Horrified; 26th Feb 2012 at 15:44.