In retrospect, the F-8 wasn’t the great “MiG fighter” that some people make it out to be. The whole point of this thread seems to be that the F-8 was equal to the F-4 in technology, and superior in combat performance. This is just not true. Until the F-4, just about every USN jet fighter represented an “interim capability,” and the same is probably true of the of the F-8.

Even aviation is full of urban myths. If the the Navy had relied on Crusaders instead of Phantoms, I think there were more kill on North Vietnamese side. Letting the ugly missions to the Phantom an taking those under friendly radar cover for the Crusader falsifies the true balance. With slats the Phantom was more effective than any Crusader – though also more expensive.

By the way, how many An-124s are there anyways. I thought maintainence wise this thing is not all that great either, especially compared to the engines that the C-5Ms will get.

About 50. Plans to reopen the Antonov-lines haven’t materialized yet. The service life of early Antonovs was even below that of the wing-ill A-models. I think if Galaxy would fly the missions of the Antonov (high-priced special transport missions) it would be pretty profitable, too.

didnt largest EU steel maker sold 40% of stake to private russian businessman just to keep the jobs which will either wise be lost to capitalism.
EADS fate will be no different. just look at changing market condition. even China demand separate assembly lines.
One economic system is creating hundreds of billions of budget surplus to the other one is creating mounain of debt of every year. In 10 years the end result will be obvious. and this does not even taking into account new pipelines, buiying foreign deposits and creating exchange markets.

Start buying books. At least read some news. If you want to stay within your protecting shell of (…), then at least don’t bother us with your 12-year old view of the world.

Russian economy is as powerful as that of the Netherlands. And the best thing: Different to former times all powerful Russians are “for sale” nowadays. Just the prices went up since the early 90s.
Maybe you noticed the severe drop in life expectancy in Russia (men are now as low as 65, in the same range as classical development countries). Large parts of the Russian population live in poverty, the wealth is shared by only a few. The whole society is far away from being in a state of sustained development. The better cash-flow can’t change the facts: Russia is a country that started from zero (economical, political and social) need will need some more time.

And so my conclusion: There are many things in need in Russia, some are even military (maybe some “special” forces that don’t kill hundreds of people in each action). At least they need to stabilize the thing called “Russian Federation”. A 5th generation fighter is the worst investment they could do.

Well, Russia cannot afford it to give too much money to the aircraft sector.
They need to solve major problems and develloping the country’s market and opportunyties (excuse me if that’s wrong spelled).
Like he said in his speech some days ago.

At least they are unwilling to pure money into civil business with doubtful pay-off. On the other hand they are pushing Suchoi to invest more in military aircraft development.
I think the Russian government is just a bit stingy, pretty understandable. In understanding market economy the Russian leaders are world class by now, of course that is bad news for parts of the aviation industry, as their projects often were money-burn projects.

That Tupolevs will outnumber and outsale A-320/A-350 series, just like star49 has said.

What is your counterstake? 😉

Which Tupolev model exactly do you mean? I think we are now beyond the A350 now, that is what I heard today at Airbus employee cometogether.

Russian airliners beating Airbus? Let us bet about that. I am putting my car on stakes..

I see a possibility for Russian aviation industry to enter the civil airliner market, but it still looks very risky. On what scenario exactly do you bet car exactly on? Possibly I take the bet.

“Western Europe” reaches russia border but it needs US bases and protection. EU cannot defend itself without US. infact it is completely depended on US not only against Russia but other powers.
EU has no strategic airlift capability. No strategic bombers, no longrange missiles. no operational spy satellite system. no long range SAMs.
In 10 years not only oil and gas but all the commodities will be controlled by russia along with transport routes and they will squeeze every one else just like they did to ukriane. while RRJ/Tupolev will take care of A-320/A-350.

I doesn’t. Western Europe is strong enough to defend against Russia. But you last lines show your limited understanding of the process and general politics. So no need to waste time here for me.

What makes me disbelief this message is that nothing was shown in the media. I mean, Cold War is over and Russia builds this aircraft for the export market as well as its own market. Of cause, I don’t expect them to share military secrets, but more food for the media. Either they still can’t figure out modern marketing or they don’t have anything to show.

Additionally, I would wonder in which state the “prototype” is (if t flies in the near future). We have seen about 4 to 7 years between first flight and EIS. Both the F-22 and the Eurofighter had early test aircraft. The time needed to develop such an aircraft is very long. With Russia in good financial condition only since two or three years now, we cannot expect that so much was done until now.
The manufacturers may have invested some on their own, but always regard the numbers: they can’t spend billions on a program just on their own. I still don’t see any 5th generation thing coming out of Russia. Especially I don’t see the promise of a good business case, or to put it this way, I see the promise of a much better one.