Sorry if I’ve given the impression of difficulties, as that wasn’t intended. It’s just that over the years my personal experiences have been very different with the various projects that I’ve facilitated.

Safir (1982) – Disagreement with local HMRC (IIRC called Customs & Excise in 1982) employee in the Guard Room at RAF Waddington (Wing and a Prayer).

Draken (1994) – Carnet and fee lodged with the Local Chamber of Commerce due to airframe originally being manufactured outside EU (at time of transaction).

Viggen (2006) – Long Term Cultural Loan, with End User Certificate being drawn up.

Plus NAM’s archived dealings with F100, T33 and Mystere acquisitions in 1976/7 and current projects also showing some possible different requirements. 😀

IIRC it can also depend on the original country of manufacture i.e. inside or outside Europe and this can influence the paperwork requirements.

I bet the finished product is eagerly anticipated in some quarters. Have you done other covers before or is this a first?

I noticed the bowsers in the pictures, which reminded me of the defueling that took place at NAM when the Vulcan was delivered in 1983. There too the tankers were waiting for the aircraft.

With regard to fuel from military aircraft, when the Viggen for Newark was flown into RAF Cranwell one issue that had to be overcome was disposal of the excess fuel, which couldn’t be put back into the base stocks.

With the Viggen, the aircraft was literally jacked up at the nose to drain the fuel to the rear tanks, before it was removed into 50 gallon drums. Thanks to the generosity of the contacts at Cranwell this was then disposed of – I understand that it might have aided fire practice!!