Sorry to be late... HAS59, you are so wrong about the Tornado and Tankers on Ellamy. The combinations enabled the longest range precision attacks out and back from the UK. TBH, I think most players, inc the most hi-tech, were supported by AAR. On the subject of budgets, we have to "cut our cloth". However, I do not agree that saving money makes no difference and, older platforms can fit the bill if their operating enviroment and capability still get the job done. As an example, the incredible waste on FSTA has seen a highly expensive, less capable and ponderous contract replacing a sound capable type that required a tiny fraction of the cost to provide a better service. Surely, it would have been better to life-extend TriStar and use the huge savings to help fund at least some UK MPA!
Muppets
OAP