We keep getting asked why we have so many aircraft at Cosford; about 60 Jags, 9 Tornados, 7 Hawks, 4 Sea Kings, 2 Gazelles and a facsimile Typhoon, plus other part airframes. We use them all to train the next generation of @RoyalAirForce aircraft engineers.

A course of apprentice avionics or mechanical aircraft engineers usually consists of up to 16 people. Classrooms are configured for this but when they move into the practical phase they split into teams of four each with an instructor and airframe.

We have multiple courses running at any one time. When in the practical phases of training they all need access to different aircraft - hence you suddenly need dozens of airframes.

Add onto this the Weapon Technicians and Survival Equipment Technicians and you can see the need for so many airframes on one station.