Thanks Al,
I had an e-mail from Steve Webb about 4 years ago assuring me that they would change the system to allow wives of Service personnel posted overseas to claim NI credits. It all went quiet, but I have today claimed Class 3 NI credits for Mrs F.O.D for several years in the 80s and 2000s when we were in RAF Germany and Belgium. Hurrah - It will all help to maximise the New State Pension entitlement. It would appear that you can apply on-line as far back as 1975. Hope that helps for other old timers like me!