I didn't use IMG because it has required attributes, and I didn't want that to become an issue. In other aspects, IMG is like BR. Refer to the rows for BR.

My assertion that 'the shortcut close on image is NOT required by 4.01 transitional (aka "loose")' is supported by the likes of Dave Raggett (at http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Guide/ for example)

Saying "not required by 4.01 transitional" implies "allowed by by 4.01 transitional", and that's not case. It's not allowed in HTML. The linked document is completely silent on the subject.

And again, whether it's the transitional or strict makes no difference whatsoever here, since they don't affect syntax.

In fact, what seems to me conclusive is the statement in the very latest 4.01 spec (at http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-html401-19991224/struct/objects.html) re the <img ...> tag: Start tag: required, End tag: forbidden

Looking at the definition of an element is irrelevant because <foo/> is never well-formed HTML.