I was thinking more along the lines of 'Dave'.

How about 'Len' - Late, Expensive (on the) Nevernever

I was fortunate enough to have a look at the first Aussie MRTT whilst it was being modded at Getaffe and had a good look at the CATIA drawings. Before that I too was led to believe that the wings were the same.

I suppose its not worth the cost of new jigs to have them built in-situe. Similarly its the same for the fuselage. Airbus would have made the complete aircraft bespoke if it had been worth it.

I have read several replys where it has been stated that the fourteen (14) FSTA aircraft will be used to replace the RAF VC-10's and TriStars. However, unless the contract has been restructured in the last few years I was lead to believe that the RAF was only going to operated 9 of the aircraft at any one time, with the remainder in cilivan service. The five reserve aircraft could be modified and put into service as needed with a like number being de-modiferd and returned to cilivian service. That was the public/private part of the program?

Has that all changed?

I've not read the contracts or seen the aircraft, but I had heard that the RAAF KC30A was specifically ordered with the A340 wing - because of the extra hardpoints, plumbing and an extra spar. FSTA, on the other hand, was ordered with the A330 wing, to be modified.

The extra centre gear would be nice - don't both wings share a common centre section with space for the gear blanked on the 330? I would guess it was ditched due to weight penalties.

As for a name... The "A330 MRTT FSTA KC-30A KC-30B KC-45" is a bit of a mouthful.

Cousin of Frankentanker.

Its sounding less and less like the "off-the-shelf" item it was supposed to be (in any of its mutations).

FSTA wont happen.

Look at the history.

TSR2, NIMWACS.

FRES.

Dreams.

Soon to be seen on a street corner near you...........
Some Jock Tw4t who destroyed this country to a level undreamed of by any other. And he shall be saying

" spare a copper guv, I need to fund a whloe county. I gave all our money away, and the bit I didn't give away I wasted on some crap or other to try and buy enough voters to make sure I would follow Tone into the top job........."

Shame this useless one-eyed nostril miner has crippled this country. Him and his fat bwankers that gave such sound financial advice.....

I stand by last years comment about canned food and shotguns. Does anyone know where I can get hold of an UZI?