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I wonder if contrary to 'winning' the batlle of Britain, the Luftwaffer lost it due to inferior aircraft for the conditions.
The small RAF planes had increadable manouverability, but if the scenario had been different and the dogfight a little more spread out perhaps the 109s would have won with superior speed.
IMHO.
Murphy's 9th Law of Technology:
Tell a man there are 300 million stars in the universe and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he'll have to touch to be sure.
The "Battle of Britain" was determined by many factors. The rugged Hurricane that was excellent at attacking bombers. The home chain of radars and superior ground control gave the defenders a great advantage. The lack of suitable range by the BF 109, and the method of pilots of making claims that proved later that the Brits had more fighters than expected. Changing tactics by the german high command that diluted the bomber effort. Goring not listening to his pilots and ordering them to stick close to protect the bombers instead of allowing them freedom to attack the attackers.
Brave man all, fighting and dying in a war.
I love the F/A-22 Raptor. (That explains my login name ) It is simply the best you get in terms of the technology. Sleek, silent and lethal. It claims to be the best air superiority fighter in the world currently.
I also am a fan of the Su-30 MKI which is basically an upgraded version of the Su-27 Flanker, custom made for the Indian Airforce. I have seen it perform in airshows in Mumbai and it is can pull off some amazing manoeuvres.
The Raptor recently failed a test flight and there are some concerns to actually releasing it. Although the Raptor is technologically supreme, the F-15 has proven to be the world's best air superiority plane, so people are wondering why we need a 150 million-dollar version. However, the F-35 looks to be a much better alternative for America's future figher aircraft. It is much cheaper and will already take over the F-16 and F-18.
The MiG-25 would have a been a cool plane had it been reliable.
Bring back wider rear wings, V10s, and tobacco advertisements
The F-15 is certainly a proven fighter. But recent comparisons (as per some media reports) raise questions about its abilities compared to more modern fighters. Thats where the Raptor comes in. As far as the Raptor failing some tests goes, probably I am not aware of that fact.
I think the F-35, the Joint Strike Fighter is a multi-role fighter aircraft. Not sure about its capabilities as an air superiority fighter. Could you provide some more info on that?
As you might have guessed, I love fighter aircraft as much as I love F1.
I saw a documentary on Discovery about the Boeing vs Lockheed JSF contract competition. In the end, Lockheed won (political lobbying notwithstanding) partly because their JSF prototype could take off vertically, fly at supersonic speeds, and land vertically at the end of the mission.
Very cool. I thought only Airwolf could do that
And I also read (on popsci, I think) that Lockheed is also planning a non-VTOL delta wing version for high-altitude high-speed missions. The JSF is less air superiority fighter, more F16/FA18/Harrier on steroids.
I saw that documentary too, it was on PBS, it was really neat to see how the contract process and the prototype process is being done in regards to military jet aircraft.
Simon: Nils? You can close in now. Nils?
John McClane: [on the guard's phone] Attention! Attention! Nils is dead! I repeat, Nils is dead, ----head. So's his pal, and those four guys from the East German All-Stars, your boys at the bank? They're gonna be a little late.
Simon: [on the phone] John... in the back of the truck you're driving, there's $13 billon dollars worth in gold bullion. I wonder would a deal be out of the question?
John McClane: [on the phone] Yeah, I got a deal for you. Come out from that rock you're hiding under, and I'll drive this truck up your ass.
If you guys are looking for a good read about the 'golden era' of plane development you have to read "Skunk Works" by Ben R. Rich & Leo Janos ISBN 0-7515-1503-5
I am sure you guys will enjoy this book, it covers the SR-71, U2, F-117. Well for me at least it was an inspiring read - does that sound geeky? i fear it does!
The F-22 Raptor was designed to be a pure air superiority fighter. It would cruise the skies and completely dominate whatever was in the air too. It is fast, maneoverable, and almost stealthy, very low observable.
The F-35 JSF is designed to be a do-all airplane. In some versions it could land and take off vertically, and it can carry bombs and or air to air missiles. It's a very good ground attack aircraft, and a second rate fighter compared to the Raptor.
The concept is this.. to really take out the bad guy's fighters, you need Raptors. The F-35 JSF is there to pound the ground, while still retaining a slight ability to defend itself if caught up in trouble.
Thank you manchild, very cool pictures. The F-104 was the GP car of the fighter community. It was a thoroughbred, the fastest of it's day, and very unforgiving. It required almost 200 MPH just to get airborne. And sadly, in the wrong hands or situation, it killed.
But in the right hands, it was incredilble in the skies, just an amazing performer.
) It is simply the best you get in terms of the technology. Sleek, silent and lethal. It claims to be the best air superiority fighter in the world currently.
