I’d go with the F-4E,better multirole aircraft in my view with the internal M61,rather then the pod mounted SUU-23 of the F-4M that took a pylon that could otherwise be used to carry bombs,drop tank,recon pod,etc.Too bad the RAF never invested in some used F-4Es.Speaking of engines though..Why didn’t any F-4 operators including Israel go with the PW120 Turbofan upgrade of the Super Phantom? I’m sure that an F-4E with PW120s would have been by far the best fighter on the market during the late ’80s.

I didn’t go to it this year.The line up didn’t look all that impressive,so me and my girlfriend are going to the NAS Oceania airshow in Sept for the final F-14 Demo.Should be lots of fun.

Kfir C.7 – they are alright, and probably will do for Mexico for the next 10 years, but in order to be sure they could operate it for 15 years and more, they have to upgrade them to the C.10 standard, not only because it has better avionics, radar and IFR probe, but because these planes go through a major overhaul that makes wonders to their airframe. Let’s not forget that the last version of the Kfir in the IAF service, the C.7, flew for about 12 years. They wasted just a bit less than half or so of their airframes life. While as a multi rule second hand fighter jet it’s a bargin, as for price, the airplane you get and its flight hours, it still needs to be updated for the 21st century. It is said that the C.10 is comparable to earlier F-16Cs, such as the Block 30 and 40. In certain areas it’s even better than them, for example by having the EL/M-2032 radar, said to be better than the F-16I’s radar. And when all of that comes in an awefully low price, around 8 million dollars, I think it’s well worth it.

As for the F-4s – nice to dream about it, but the Israeli F-4s were retired due to one reason – they weren’t safe to fly anymore, due to the fact that all of the airframes were in the end of their life. These F-4s saw more combat missions than any other F-4s in the world, serving in two wars and many operations and combat sorties.
Upgrading them yet again is possible but isn’t cost effective.

Either way, it’s not what Mexico needs – they need a multi rule fighter jet, capable of bombing enemy targets and protecting the skies of Mexico. If we’re looking at western sources for this kind of fighter jet, I think that they should look on F-16s from a nation that doesn’t fly them too much, which leaves Israel out of the list (maybe even MLU or ACE them), Kfir-2000s or even early F-18s, but the best solution in my opinion is to upgrade their Tigers. The Tiger is a very good fighter jet. It’s soft spot is its avionics and airframe, but both of these things could be upgraded dramatically, as seen in many other Tiger operating countries, such as Chile, Brazil, Turkey and Singapore.

Well you know,I think the F-4E would have been a better choice when you consider the range and weapons capability.Not all F-4E Kurnass were withdrew due to zero airframe hours remaining.Is that why Isreal sold Mexico both CH-53Ds and E-2Cs,they weren’t safe anymore? I know for a fact both the E-2C and CH-53Ds were used alot in the wars.The truth is,if I was just wanting to spout off foolish ideas,how about “Mexico should adapt the FC-1 or whatever its called now”.Or even better,how about some used Mig-29s,like Peru bought? Or lets go all out and go for some retired F-15s or maybe F-14s.

I’ve done that,tried to barrel role it too,wasn’t to successful at that though.

The used F-16s sound good,and some Block 15 ADF models would more then likely be affordable.However with the recent deliveries from Israel of E-2C Hawkeyes and CH-53D Yasur 2000s,there is also the possibility that Israel could provide some fighter aircraft as well.These could be in the form of Kfir C.7s or maybe even some retired F-4E Kurnass 2000s.Imagine Mexican F-4Es operating along with E-2Cs.

I think the reason they were never repainted was because they spend alot of their time low level on recon runs and are more likely to need a darker camo to blend in with the ground whereas the fighter models are used at higher alttitudes,and are painted in either Egyptian I in the case of Turkey or Agiean Blue like the Greek aircraft.The Agiean Blue is also pretty effective over water as well I’d imagine.

1.F-14D Super Tomcat
2.F-4E Phantom II
3.Mig-29 Fulcrum
4.F-23A Black Widow II
5.A-10B Warthog
6.Kfir C.10
7.A-7E Corsair II
8.J-10 Firefly
9.Su-34 Platypus
10.Su-47

Well,personally,I’d go with the original Mig-35 design,with thrust vectoring engines and canards.Have 8 underwing pylons,an inflight refueling capability and an arrester hook.Also it would be able to carry a centerline Recon pod or Buddy refueling pod.