(Spain) In 1982, the Europeans decided to build their very own strategic airlifter. At the time, everybody used the ubiquitous C-130 Hercules, but apparently the Europeans wanted their own. So off they went and 32 years later the Airbus A400M is ready (well, almost). Designed from the onset to replace the ageing C-130, the craft actually costs twice as much. Not only that but for a few quid more (well, actually, around £20 million), you can buy (well, could) the Boeing C-17 which is at the end of the day a much superior aircraft (other than in landing and taking off distances).
Well, the 32-year gestation period has hit everybody involved, the South Africans pulled out, everybody bar the French have reduced their orders. In fact, so concerned were the British, they went out and bought 8 C-I7s (looking at buying one more).
Well, on Sunday, the British A400M took to the air for the very first time in the sky over Spain. 5 hours later it landed, and it is scheduled to be accepted into RAF service at the end of this month. The RAF is set to receive 22 of A400Ms which, the truth be told, we could have replaced with another 10 C-17s and 20 C-130Js and still save money.
But hey, this is what happens when you have politicians (Tony Blair) telling the Military that they have to buy something more expensive, half as good and, at the time, not flying, in which to ensure they handed him a plush job after he finished wreaking the UK with his socialist policies.
Well, the 32-year gestation period has hit everybody involved, the South Africans pulled out, everybody bar the French have reduced their orders. In fact, so concerned were the British, they went out and bought 8 C-I7s (looking at buying one more).
Well, on Sunday, the British A400M took to the air for the very first time in the sky over Spain. 5 hours later it landed, and it is scheduled to be accepted into RAF service at the end of this month. The RAF is set to receive 22 of A400Ms which, the truth be told, we could have replaced with another 10 C-17s and 20 C-130Js and still save money.
But hey, this is what happens when you have politicians (Tony Blair) telling the Military that they have to buy something more expensive, half as good and, at the time, not flying, in which to ensure they handed him a plush job after he finished wreaking the UK with his socialist policies.
