um...Mig-29 is in no way Russia's premier interceptor that would be the Mig-31. In this duel the Tomcat would probably have the advantage as it has a better radar and longer range missle (by about 10 km). Mig-29 is comparable to the F-16.

The mig-29 is really a poor fighter,(compared to american aircraft.) The mig-29 is no-match for a f-14 or any other american fighter. Many mig-29's were downed during desert storm. But; if russian crews were flying them,things may have been different. But not likely against the f-15,the worlds true air superiority aircraft.

"The mig-29 is really a poor fighter" Interesting. Everything I've heard says it's a quite good plane, fully comparable to the F-16. It's principle weakness was exceptionally short range. "The mig-29 is no-match for a f-14 or any other american fighter. " No. It's comparable to the F-16. Comparisons to the F-15 or F-14 are a little harder, since the latter are much larger, long range fighters rather than dog-fighters, like the F-16 and Mig-29. But, you wouldn't really want to get into a turning duel with a Mig-29 sitting in an F-14. You'd want to keep the engagement BVR. In any case, yes, it's mostly a matter of training. Every fighter pilot I've ever talked to insists that training will overcome equipment. Notably, when America was running the Top Gun program, the instructor/red force pilots often flew less capable platforms, yet regularly waxed the trainee, blue force pilots, who were, when they entered the program, already fully qualified and rated for their fighters.

"In this duel the Tomcat would probably have the advantage as it has a better radar and longer range missle" You'd better check on the radar of Mig-31MB and what missiles it carries. MiG-31BM has Zaslon-M phased-array radar(phased-array radars are much better than mechanical radars).It can find a target at 320km. Mig-31BM can fire R-37 and lock target at 280km and the target is "fighter class" or MiG-21 type. During the exercises in 1994 Mig-31bm destroyed the target at 280km with the R-37, it is the only plane in the world that can destroy the target at this range. As an example the F-14D can destroy targets not more than at 180km range. Mig-31 can intercept targets at M=6!!! It can track 10 targets and fire simultaneously at 6 by R-33s and R-37

Yes, the Tomcat has superior long-range firepower, but its avionics are antiquated and frankly cannot match the MiG-29 in a close-in fight. U.S. pilots are far superior than any communist pilot and that will bring the Tomcat out on top in most engagements.

Thank you! It is refreshing to see some intelligence on this message board.

F-14 is much better than MiG-29A in BVR (Beyond Visual Range) due to its radar AN/AWG-9, or new one on F-14D digital AN/APG-71 radar. At the same time if some how MiG-29A would be able to get into Close Air Combat (VVR/dogfighting) than MiG-29A has an advantage due to its helmet-mounted system (there is no such system in the west) plus overall Mig-29A has pulse-Doppler RP-29 radar (code named "Slot Back" by NATO) with look-down, shoot-down capability it can track a "fighter class" target at a range of over fifty miles in a look-up mode and about thirty miles in a look-down mode, it can track up to ten targets simultaneously and has a conventional antenna dish (not a phased-array)plus the infrared search and track system (IRST).

Quote : "U.S. pilots are far superior than any communist pilot" LOLOLOL !!!!! That 's a pile of rubbish . Cheers .

Yeah, Bluewings, you're right. Now try this one: the average U.S. pilot can kick the average Russian pilot's ass. Any time. Every time. Displacedjim

"RE:F-14 Vs Mig 29 9/15/2002 8:58:05 PM "In this duel the Tomcat would probably have the advantage as it has a better radar and longer range missle" You'd better check on the radar of Mig-31MB and what missiles it carries. MiG-31BM has Zaslon-M phased-array radar(phased-array radars are much better than mechanical radars).It can find a target at 320km. Mig-31BM can fire R-37 and lock target at 280km and the target is "fighter class" or MiG-21 type. During the exercises in 1994 Mig-31bm destroyed the target at 280km with the R-37, it is the only plane in the world that can destroy the target at this range. As an example the F-14D can destroy targets not more than at 180km range. Mig-31 can intercept targets at M=6!!! It can track 10 targets and fire simultaneously at 6 by R-33s and R-37" ---- OMG! Boris, was that you? Man, I hope you've learned to stop living in fantasyland since then. Maybe not, since you dredged up that Zaslon/R-37 wet dream a few weeks ago in another thread. Geez, that was a prototype in 1994 that died on the vine (and I seriously doubt those claims to begin with, but it's moot either way because the Russians have done nothing with it since then). If you want to make practical, meaningful comparisons, try to keep a distinction between reality and bizarroworld, please. Displacedjim