vitual fiver on its way to you!
(didn’t look at the second photo!)

ATA tristars are still regular visitors to RAF mildenhall (ferrying usaf troops), and can be occasionally seen at cambridge for maintenance, along with RAF ones.

the other thing which can add significantly to the purchase price of a new aircraft type is the ground equipment and specialist tooling. often there are common tools and specialist ground equipment that will fit different models from the same manufacturer, but not other types of aircraft.

I think you will find the Red Arrows Hawks can still be fitted with current in service weapons. The Unit’s Hawks were modified to carry AIM-9L Sidewinders in the late 1980’s for use as a point defence interceptors (as were a number of Hawks on the TWU’s). The unit also has enough pilots posted on its strength to make a viable operational unit. (They also have a very important ‘semi combat’ role and that is to help BAe SELL HAWKS!!!, which I would say they have done pretty well at) As for the BBMF, 20mm Hispano cannon and .303 Browning’s are definitely NOT in service weapons and have not been for a considerable number of years. Thus (much as I love to see the aircraft fly and will stop and look for the aircraft every time I hear a Merlin) I would say that the BBMF cannot realistically be called an operational fighter unit!

there was a modification program on all the hawks stared in the early /mid 80’s to enable them to carry sidewinders.
the first ones modded were the brawdy/chivenor hawks.later on the valley hawks were done the next time the wings came off for servicing.
during a war the valley hawks were meant to form RAS’s (regional air squadrons) for point defence of airfields.

so far its been decidedly one sided, with the owner shouting his side of things on a few forums.
his side of things may, or may not be totally accurate, but to me, unless both sides of the story are told, an accurate picture will never come out.
i’m suprised at the lack of responses from the maintenance organisation, either directly, or by someone who has close ties with them, as their reputation is taking a battering.
perhaps DBW should post his allegations about the owner on the flyer or pprune forums to see what the response would be.(just in the intrest of fairness, nobody likes allegations that aren’t backed up , do they?)

plywood is still used as floor boards in the flight deck and entrance way on c-130’s.

ordinary plumbers PTFE tape is also used on the oxygen system to seal unions.

aluminium speed tape was also used on Tornados as an approved temp repair (radius the corners, rub it down hard and clear varnish it).

DU is also used as ballast on cargo aircraft so I’ve been told, I do recall a story of 800 lbs of the stuff being on that 747 that crashed just after take off from Stansted in December 1999. I do recall a lake having to be drained in the attempts to find the stuff. (I was told the tale by an ex brother in law who worked at the airport).

Yet another nasty substance when burnt, vaporised or rendered into fine dust. Its also used in Avoinics systems.

that uranium was actually the rudder balance weights, they are spread up the leading edge of the rudder.