riggerrob: You grew up in the cauldron! Plenty of souverainistes will have cheered on the exodus of les Anglais and allophones. Then, if I've got this right, Quebec moves from being favoured for votes to needing preferential treatment to survive economically. (If that's not the case, it is hard to understand many Canadian trade practices of the past quarter century).
CH-124s: Interesting about anticipated export of further UAC-assembled Sea Kings. Any idea who they had in mind for customers? Mind you, I'm also reminded of the Halifax class 20 years later. The FFHs would basically pay for themselves. First, guaranteed export customer was Saudi Arabia, the second was ... oh wait, none of that ever happened ;p
Interesting stuff about aircraft evaluated for potential Bonaventure use - especially the A4E and F11F.
GK Dundas: Spot on. "If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat." The relationship between bureaucracy and service is essentially confrontational even if we might wish it different. Thus, to get their "act together", the top job for DND planning and procurement officers is outplaying MNDs, DMs, ADMs, and PSPC officials at their own game.
The citizenry are kept in the dark through habit and by preference (NDHQ wasn't called the 'Puzzle Palace' for nothing). By and large, the former are fine with that. They don't have the time or inclination to learn the details. Rather, the public expects the Brass to be SMEs who know what to procure and to always get it right. A tough row to hoe for the Chiefs ... but who ever said top command positions would be easy?
