C-17 in RAF service

[Slater]

What's the overall opinion of this aircraft thus far in it's service career? Is it all it's cracked up to be? If I recall, the ones in RAF use have to be returned at the end of the leasing agreement.

[Tab]

As far as I am aware it is still in use with the RAF and will remain so until the Euro replacement comes along some time or other.

[Dmanton300]

Top rumour at the moment is that the crabs are looking at ways to lease another eight or so on top of the four already in use. With a purchase eventually to complement the A-400M at Brize when they get there, and all the Hercules dissapearing in 2012 when Lynham goes. The Hercules C.4 and c>5 are getting the bugs ironed out but haven't been quite the revolution people were expecting.

[Darren]

what is the point of leasing them? the restrictions in the contract are so many that alot of the c17's really useful capicity can't be used. we should buy 12 outright to bring 99 up to strength and a further 12 to reform 53 sqn they are an excellent aircraft.