RAF Rivet Joint...First Pic?

[Garry Russell]

http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx? ... 8067cafc0a

[dodger]

Hi Garry,

Well its not before time, pity it was not ordered earlier though,

Cheers,

Roger.

[Garry Russell]

Certainly been on a long time now.

The reason I pout a query is that many think this is photoshopped, but I don't.

Probably only a temp livery, but I think it is genuine and certainly a fresh repaint.

[dodger]

Well you may be right, mind you if it is a genuine picture then someone may well be Shot under the OSA!!

Or its a picture of what it could be like if we were to buy any, interesting all the same.

Roger.

[Garry Russell]

It's reckoned to be a leaked pic.

[TSR2]

Can't see us flying in USAF white / Grey chaps, and in many ways a substandard off the shelf number compared to the nimrod.

[Airspeed]

Do I remember something about - for the sake of a nail, the horseshoe was lost etc. etc.?

QUOTE: Sharp-eyed readers of this blog will notice the aircraft distinctly lacks an air-to-air refuelling probe and given the RAF has not ordered a boom for its Voyager tankers, the new Airseekers will end up being dependent on USAF or tankers from other nations for refuelling.

[Garry Russell]

That was pointed out somewhere else too...but possibly that has just not been added yet

[NigelC]

Not very imaginative. Just changed the U.S. to ROYAL, other than that, it's standard USAF minus Stars n' Bars and tail markings.

[Garry Russell]

Which is what makes me think it's just a temp livery during intial testing, which can take some time.

A cheap respray over exisiting???