[Oztrich Boy]

First off, why did Boeing stick to the B767 when the Air Force wanted a B777 variant? And if a B767, why the -200ER and not the more AirBus comparable -300ER, or better yet the -400ER which needed orders anyway? Why try to get the USAF to buy the low-end model?

The B777 wouldn't have been able to meet the $40B cap.

The -300/400 would have added empty weight, hence increaed MTOW with a full fuel load. That would have increased runway length.

The best hope the Big B had was the -200bitzer with the small body, big wings and hope Uncle Sugar would accept "meets mininum requirement" as reason to buy American.

[buzzer]

“The best hope the Big B had was the -200bitzer with the small body, big wings and hope Uncle Sugar would accept “meets mininum requirement” as reason to buy American.”

Absolutely correct. This enden up in the Boeing KC-767 “Frankentanker” ( http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sundaybuzz/2004147565_sundaybuzz27.html ). A mixup of all spare 767 parts Boeing had on stock.