P-35 has a range of 250 km straight. It was enough for the 80ies. And it could use a nuclear warhead. Kyndas never were alone, so they had not to scoot after fire their Pityorkas.

Something different:
What is this F-15C carrying under the wing? Python AAM? Without fins/wings of course.

Looks like CATM-9.

Soviet Union had the problem that there were no aircrafts for carriers. Why should they build real aircraft carriers from the beginning on? There were no experiences with aircraft carriers! It was an evolution from the first experiments, the Kievs, to the next evolution, the Kuznezovs, to the real big carrier, the Uljanowsk class (Project 1143.7). When the Kievs were build, the only usable aircraft was the Yak-38. With the new generation of aircrafts of MiG-29 and Su-27 types it was possible to make convincing carrier aircrafts out of them. The Yak-38 were to intercept ASW aircrafts, not fighters. The Kuznezovs were build to give the Fleet the ability to defend against fighters. The aircrafts on Kuznezov were not intended for attack. This was the job of the big missiles. With the Uljanowsk the USSR would have get the ability to use heavier weapons on their aircrafts with a longer run and catapults. It was an evolution not a self restriction.

Concorde is the most elegant delta.

Two missiles are not a very impressive load. 😉

Yes.

For a small air force the F-5A was the most versatile and affordable and best bang for buck. For greater air forces I would prefer the Phantom II.