Originally Posted by
Wingspar
Ok.
KC 30.
Get another hull.
Configure it with a VIP section between doors one and two.
Dedicate that A/C to VIP duties.
That keeps everyone happy. The media and all the hangers on can be accommodated down the back.
When 33 are desperate for another hull they can call on that one and the grunts can stay down the back and not soil the PM's leather seat.
All operational matters are consistent with existing staffing and systems.
Minimal cost increase.
I actually agree with this. I don't like Airbus but the fact is there are 5 or 6 A330 MRTTs already and it would just be patently stupid to not go and get 1 or 2 A330-200/300 for the VIP duties. Unless there was a compelling reason to get a B787, B777 or B747-400/-8 the most logical option is to get airframe(s) with commonality shared with other military equipment.
Of course, this is the military we are talking about, even if the VIP fleet were A330s I'm sure military bureaucracy would end up buying double the parts/spares required.
When European Aviation (Stodardt) purchased the BAC-111s he was given the parts by the RAAF for nothing - they had enough parts to last for 300 years - hence PS paid a pittance for the aeroplanes then became the US/Europe parts centre for the BAC-111, supplying parts for them for years afterwards.