Best Fighter of the Cold War, 1949-1989

Email Me When A New Comment Is Made
Show Only Poster Name and Title Newest to Oldest

Pages: PREV 1 2 3 4 5

Aussiegunneragain 11/6/2009 8:02:34 PM

Re: the Mig-23, The best data available is probably the US experience in the previously classified program "Constant Peg". The US used real, Soviet issue, Mig-23s to train USAF, USN, and USMC pilots against Mig-23s. I will post the USAF Magazine link below but here are some high lights:

"..And the MiG-23? Well, the Flogger pilot was going to make one pass and run. If he tried to turn, officials said, you owned him."

"...a MiG-23 could out-accelerate anything."

"... The cheapness of the materials used in some of the MiG engines limited their expected life span to 500 hours,..."

"....?The guys really didn?t like flying the 23,? .....?They were scared of them.?

and finally:

".....It was the MiG-23 that was the maintainers? nightmare. The Flogger was a compromised design, in the US view. Made light for speed, the airframe didn?t have sufficient strength. The wing box which carried the weight of the swing wings was particularly prone to cracks."

ht***tp://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2007/April%202007/0407peg.aspx

Good article. I don't know whether the Soviets ever taught their pilots to use the '23 in the vertical, but if they had it would have been a much tougher opponent.

I also wonder whether their "cheap and disposable" strategy work for them on a cost/benefit basis?

Quote Reply

RockyMTNClimber Not to rub salt in your wounds.... 11/6/2009 8:04:49 PM

I've been up guiding (Elk Hunting) here in Colorado the last week

I saw this and became instantly jealous. Enough! ;>) Elk steak on the barbie in chicago - not. Sad panda here. Ah well, there is next year.

v^2

My son is in town along with my Daughter. First time together in about 3 years. Backstraps on the BBQ and a nice Cabernet. Then back to the woods for me.....

Quote Reply

kensohaski 11/7/2009 3:12:53 PM

I will give it to the old Phantom jets. Big, burly, loud, heavily armed, and fast.

Quote Reply

PREV 1 2 3 4 5