F-105/F-106 vs MiG-23/27

The other thread on the MiG-23/F-4 Phantom is interesting enough, although it’s rehashing a lot of material which we’ve seen recently. I’d like to make a new comparison, one I don’t think anyone has ever made before, namely the F-106 and the F-105 versus the MiG-23 (fighter and attack versions). Considering that both the ‘Thud’ and the ‘Six’ arrived in service at the same time as other second generation fighters (around the 1960 mark) and a good ten years earlier than the third generation MiG-23, the question that I would like to ask is – what did the MiG-23 have to offer in technology and capabilities, that the earlier century series aircraft didn’t have?

As regards comparing basic engine/airframe, I doubt if the American J75 powerplant was in anyway inferior in power output, weight, reliability to any of the MiG’s motors. The American airframes seemed pretty capable of delivering the goods, The MiG-23 was not the most agile airframe of them all and I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that it was any more maneuverable in a turning fight than the Dart, although the MiG probably had the advantage in speed and climb rate, and the variable geometry wings on the MiG certainly provided a distinct advantage in airfield performance, needing a lot less runway than the F-105 I’m sure.

More interestingly, to what extent were the avionics on the MiG-23 an improvement on the earlier generation American aircraft. Was the Sapfir radar/R-23 missile on the MiG any better than the MA-1 AI radar/ AIM-4 combo on the F-106?

The Navigation/attack systems on the Thud were the most advanced in their day – and I’m not sure if the attack versions of the MiG-23 or the MiG-27 even had the Terrain following/avoidance radar that the F-105 had (if they had any).

I’m pretty fond of the F-105 and the F-106, I reckon the Thud is possibly the most significant strike aircraft of the entire Cold war, as regards both technology and combat record.

Any comments anyone?

Colourful F-105 and F-106 below