Xercules-interesting stuff about ITAR but since the equipment is already exported elsewhere I struggle to see how the RAF would be unable to go down that line.
OAP- my thoughts were that we should have acquired the ac in circa 78 and avoided the following programmes
Conversion of VC10 K2/3 and later the K4 and C1K programme
Purchase of ex BA and Panam Tri
Cake and @rse party associated with Tri glass cockpit
V exp option that we now have in Voyager (admittedly we would be looking at some options now such as update/replacement)
Keeping the Victor in service and as a consequence reaping the benefits of the reduced manpower needed both in air and ground
I am no accountant but I would guess that the figures are not as bad as you think
Just a thought
vasco
PS unless I misread your point on trails the FJ limits I was referring to had little to do with extreme of range etc but the more obvious of expecting someone to sit in a green bag for 8 hours when 5 is plenty