We’ve had this discussion a few months ago. The radar on the Su-27SM is probably just an mid-life upgrade of the original to the NOO1 and retaining the very same antenna.

As for the Russians only allowing the Russian military to possess the most advanced versions – the most advanced version of the MiG-29 serves with the Indian Navy, the most advanced Su-30 in the Indian and Malaysian AF.

…Under the SSM’s plans, the new fighter would be available for service around 2023 as a replacement for the air force’s McDonnell Douglas F-4s (below) and Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 30s.

So the Turkish AF may continue to fly the F-4 until 2023 or so – how old are Turkish Phantoms as it stands today, 30, 35 years old?:confused::eek:

I would have thought that an aircraft’s ability to carry out extreme maneuvering with a substantial combat load was more related to the strength of the airframe and perhaps thrust-to-weight ratio rather than anything else?:confused:
Can anyone enlighten?

I’m sure that at the press of a button you can have the display in any language you like, as is usually the case with other avionics producers. No doubt English would be the most appropriate for an international exhibition.

Generally speaking, you know when the Soviet authorities regard a combat aircraft or missile system as having achieved the specified reliability, serviceability and combat effectiveness – and that is when it has finally cleared the weapon system for export. To be fair to the Soviets, they would never export an aircraft or missile which they themselves thought as a ‘dud’.

For example, the first MiG-29 prototype flew in 1977, while the first production model was delivered to the Soviet air force in 1982 I believe, but in the Soviets’ point of view there would still be significant amount of testing and adjustment to the aircraft design before they would be satisfied the aircraft can finally be fully cleared and attain its service acceptance certification – in the MiG-29’s case, 1984. Exports began the following year. Allow at least eight to ten years before any aircraft is cleared for export after the first flight of development prototypes.
For 2nd and 3rd generation aircraft like the MiG 21, Su-20 it was around 7 years.

It’s the same with AD Missile systems. I think the first launch of S-125 was in 1958, the first launch of Buk was in 1959. Giving ít at least 7 to 12 years before export is allowed.

the air defence system of N. Vietnam would certainly have been the most powerful in the world in the late 1960s outside of Moscow – or at least the ground based element anyway.

Poland bought up the last of the Lufwaffe’s MiG-29 (at a euro apiece – bargain), if it’s anyone in Europe it could be the Polish AF. Perhaps India, to make up numbers and attrition losses?

The Hungarian AF pilots in the picture above, aren’t they a bit, errr, old for front line pilots? Or is it just a get-together of retired pilots posing for a group shot?

I don’t think those people who have a half serious interest in military aviation history would ever ‘misunderstand’ the F-105. I rarely read any overly negative assessments of the Thud’s performance in the SE Asia war.
I’d be curious to find out what the North Vietnamese thought of the F-105?:confused: