hi DC, thx,
But I do not understand your thrust... "leasing was cheaper than buying", but then "we have ended up paying for those aircraft several times before we eventually purchased as I recall".
I did not mean to suggest that your C-17 renting part was the way to go - the platform was right, but procurement method was wrong - the overall success of the programme was sorted out in the end. Same/same with tankers, rent by the hour, or the gallon? (Sounds like Goering's bombers with Monty Python.) Not a great way to go.