This makes perfect government sense to throw money at converting airliners into airtankers, dumb idea.
How much money do you think the government spends, converting aircraft into air tankers? A million? A hundred million? Twelve billion?
The government doesn't convert aircraft into tankers.
What aircraft would you convert to be a tanker?
The P2V was designed to be a bomber, as was the PB4Y-2. The C-130 was ready-made for low level deliveries. Even the P3 was designed for and was capable of mast level bombing and low altitude delivery. Only the P2 remains.
Presently the BAE-146 is seeing initial success in service. Although quite costly, the DC-10 has been well received as effective.
I was offered a position for this year for the MD-87. I don't expect to see it fielded, and I didn't accept the position, but I wish them well. I don't see it as a very good concept, but it is what it is. The operator has fronted the money to do it; if it doesn't pan out, they're the ones that lose, just like Evergreen with the 747.