Hang on a minute Engines.
Whilst you are correct about operations from gelded flattop [oops]
Why should the RAF aircraft have to lug about so much
1. dead weight
2. loss of fuel capacity
3. loss of weapons storage. Mind you @£185,000 a pop for smd2 you can see the beancounters eyes light up when it's 4 vs 8 in the bays..
Hmm.