Torque,
I'm not keen to drag this thread any fiurther away from it's intended path, I think it's abundantly clear that we could argue this one all night long. My point was that there has been ample opportunities for the RAF SAR Force to be more efficient/flexible in their approach to converting experienced crews. Your vehement defence is admirable but symptomatic of a Force that has been very reticent to change with the times. Sad though I am to see the crown jewels being sold to our civilian friends it could be just the breath of fresh air that.SAR needs. A commercial outlook will certainly bring an element of innovation that has been sadly lacking in recent years