Then there was the first VC10K to be 'repainted' in France....
MoD had decided to save money on the repaint by sending it there. But then it was discovered that some of the old paint had been removed with a grinder, then several thick layers of new paint had been slapped on in an attempt to hide the evidence...
From then on, the RAF decided that supervision was needed, so sent over some people who knew what to look for. Not easy when the work force are mostly Algerians being paid peanuts, with health and safety receiving a gallic shrug......
Another penny-pinching measure was to get the aircraft repainted somewhere in Eastern Europe. That too turned out to be rather more lengthy and expensive than anticipated. A good deal for the ferry crews though!
The job used to be done at RAF St Athan and to a high standard. But the wretched beancounters just
had to see if it could be outsourced.....
