Srbin, I’m not sure what you are expecting from people? My design was not just a “copy and paste” job. Sure, it was influenced by real-life designs. Being influenced isn’t the same as copying. Real-life aircraft designers are influenced by each other’s work.

As far as short takeoffs and landings? I don’t see why not. The wings seem large enough for a good lift-to-weight ratio. And vectored thrust should help low-speed handling.

Drag? I don’t know. I’m not an engineer. I just drew it because I saw your post and thought it sounded fun to post my drawing.

I liked your design. But whether you intended it or not, I see certain influences in it too. There’s nothing wrong with that. The x-36 comes to mind. And here’s an early Lockheed JSF concept … just take off the vertical tails.

–Gavin.

So does this mean that MiG will remain independent for the long term? Or does it simply mean that it will be consolidated some other way?

–Gavin.

For stealth aircraft, it would seem easier for side intakes to wrap around an internal weapons bay. The Boeing JSF had a chin intake, but had to resort to shrouding the engine fan instead of curving the intake.

Using a chin intake for a twin-engine fighter creates a potential problem with airflow because you are basically using one intake to feed two engines … as I understand it, if one engine flames out it can affect the flow of air to the other engine.

Nonetheless, the MiG MFI and Boeing’s ATF proposal both used chin intakes for a twin-engine design, apparently because it gives better air flow at high angles of attack.

Basically, every design option is trade off.

–Gavin.

Or does it mean that Yak has just been swallowed up and that’s the end of it. I’m afraid so. Is MiG next?

Flankerman, thank you very much for posting these photos. I was beginning to think that we’d never have any NEW 1.44 photos.

Is it the new paint job, or just the angle and lighting of the photos, but does the riveting seem less visible in the new shots? Compare to this old photo.

Thanks again Flankerman.

–Gavin.

The Air Power Review article talks about the Afghan operations and includes a picture. Again, I wish I had a scanner.

According the article, the performance was very disappointing. So much dust was kicked up during landings and takeoffs that the pilots had a hard time seeing well enough to fly. In the thin mountain air, fuel consumption was so high that it cut significantly into combat load and radius.

I have read that U.S. Marine Harriers had similar problems during the war against the Taliban.

–Gavin.

Deino, volume 10 of International Air Power Review, which I think is still on the newstands, has an article about Yak V/STOLs and it includes a picture of a model very much like the ones you posted.

If I had a scanner, I would post it. Maybe somebody else can.

–Gavin.