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Subject:
Most Overrated and Underrated Fighter Aircraft
wrathofachilles
12/5/2005 12:30:32 AM
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| What do you think the most overrated and underrated fighter aircraft are (based on reputation vs. actual performance etc.)?
In my opinion, the most overrated fighter of the World War II era was definately the A6M Zero. It performed very well during the first few months of the war, when it was up against badly-flown, obsolete opposition, but once the Americans got better planes and learned not to dogfight it under any circumstances, its success rate rapidly diminsihed.
I think the most overrated fighter of modern times is the MiG-29. Sure, it hasn't been used under the best circumstances, as its users usually fight vastly outnumbered, outmanned, and with great equipment shortages, but the Serbs in 1999 had some good pilots and clever tactics and should have been able to make better use of it than they did. I can only conclude that the plane itself is lacking.
On the other hand, I feel the MiG-17 is greatly underrated. It was looked down upon by the USAF in Vietnam, but the NVAF used it to great effect, and more than a few North Vietnamese pilots became aces fliying it. Of course, the US made the huge mistake of thinking the gunfighter was obsolete, but the MiG-17 convinced them otherwise.
The P-40 in WWII is often referred to as "outclassed," which it definately was even in the early part of the war, but its successful use by the Americans, British, and Austrailians I think shows otherwise. I think with any aircraft the quality of the pilots and tactics makes all the difference.
I feel the MiG-25 is both. It's a nightmare to maintain, but I think its speed and climb rate give it big advantages over more modern fighters. The only kill by the Iraqis in the first Gulf War was by a MiG-25, and most of the others escaped to Iran.
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