Bingowings said:
Yes but both know their way around the crop duster and the military trained chap is convinced Luke can handle the ancient star fighter.
You seem to assume they have a like with like supply of personnel.
It's a repressive regime recruiting people may be more difficult than obtaining old ships and much of those personnel would be trained as ground troops, technicians or for operating fleet ships (which may be less of the same skill set than flying a T-16).
You just assume X-wings are "ancient". I think they are cutting edge.
My assumption concerning personnel is based on the information that the film offers. It is made quite clear that Alliance is very popular. Even a farm boy on Tatooine has heard of it and is fond of it. So it is fair to assume they didn't have trouble with recruitment.