Big thanks for such high quality work and the sharing of news to the rest of the world.

I wish you a super Christmas and continuing reward for your dedication to quality in 2013.

Are Northrop Grumman still working on something for the T-X program ? Something based on the F-5B perhaps ?

These kind of comparisons are a bit like the ‘MigHoi-57 vs GrummaDonnell-99’ aircraft comparisons. Training is a huge factor. Training can give significantly more ‘quality’ to a theoretically less capable aircraft.

One should also remember the location of the battle. E.g., Battle of Britain…. The Nazis had superior numbers, fairly capable aircraft, and pretty good experience. The Brits had less experience, and aircraft, but with high capability. Nazi aircraft could not loiter for long in the battle zone. Defending British fighters could spend longer in the air defending, and were closer to refueling bases. This balances the difference in aircraft numbers somewhat. Pilot fatigue was probably their worst problem. Pilot losses certainly were a serious problem.

There are probably many more variables that make any conclusions from these kind of overall comparisons a bit shakey, in my view.

You also have to be specific in what you mean by ‘quality’. The Me262 was an incredible aircraft, but it had very poor engine durability.

So much nicer than the awful black schemes. I also like the white, red and black training colours that used to be used.

‘Love to see Viggen in an airshow again. I never forget emerging from the indoor exhibition at Farnbrough in 1982. Through a small gap in a croud of people I saw a Viggen afterburner light. The ground shook. The sound arrived an instant later, but the air could barely support it. It was a wierd, loud crackle ! I remember noting that the planform of the aircraft in the air was slightly sinister.

Years later I had a go in a Viggen simulator. I am not a pilot. It was so easy to fly, and landing, with the AFK system, was unbelievably easy.

The Tornado also gave a great display at Farnbrough ’82.