because that settles the debate, I assumed that you had photographic or video evidence.

Oh come on!!!

Be reasonable. How unbelievable is it that FLANKERs were deployed to the theatre? Why must such a claim be backed up with photographic evidence? What are you after exactly, a photo of a FLANKER flying nap-of-the-earth with a sign saying “South Ossetia” in the background. Please.

It seems pretty certain that FLANKERs were deployed to the theatre – that at least has been reported by several sources. Whether they shot something down is, however, a different matter all together.

The topic starter isn’t a flamer. He’s a long standing member of the forum and has contributed useful information in the past.

If he says he read about it in a Czech or Slovak magazine it is worthwhile giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Flex,

How good is the reporting in this L+K magazine usually? I know that Serbian aviation magazines have, in the past, reported stories that they (more or less) copy/pasted from other publications without going to any effort whatsoever to check whether they are grounded in fact.

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Correct.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Correct.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Correct.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.

Can’t be bothered to find out. Might be true.

Lincoln ‘s secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy’s Secretary was named Lincoln .

Hmm… I thought I could be bothered to do this but I guess I’m just not bored enough. Anyone care to take over?

While we’re on the subject:

VLADIVOSTOK, October 9 (RIA Novosti) – The Progress aircraft maker, based in Russia’s Far East, will start deliveries of the Ka-52 Hokum-B combat/reconnaissance helicopter to the Russian Air Force in 2009, a Russian business daily said on Thursday.

The Ka-52 is a twin-seat derivative of the Ka-50 Hokum-A attack helicopter, and is designed primarily for reconnaissance and target designation purposes. (Image gallery)

“We have concluded state procurement contracts on the production of Ka-52 helicopters. The helicopter, equipped with an on-board radar, is undergoing final tests at present,” the Kommersant newspaper quoted Roman Chernyshov, the Kamov executive director, as saying.

The Kamov design bureau is planning to supply Ka-50 and Ka-52 helicopters to foreign customers in the future, the official said.

According to Russian Air Force Commander, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, the Air Force will receive over 100 new combat helicopters, including the Ka-52 and the Mi-28N Night Hunter, over a period of five years, from 2011 until 2015.

whats the source of your claim that the J-10 “crushes” the MKK in all exercises ? a relatively new fighter crushing a MKK would imply that the MKK is either poorly piloted, uses bad tactics, or simply speaking, is not quite as great as its supposed to be. and if its true that the J-10 trumps the MKK, then even the Taiwanese F-16 and Mirage-2000s could have an upper hand over the MKK, since the J-10 is probably roughly equivalent to their later models.

I’m curious as to what kind of scenario they were running – because it would be easy to say J-10 killed MKKs if the FLANKERs were flying strike missions and the J-10 was tasked with intercept. Otherwise, can’t see how the J-10 can compete with an MKK, at least in BVR engagements. WVR might be a different matter but even then the FLANKER should be a pretty tricky foe… If the J-10s are winning with outstanding results every time, something’s wrong in those MKK regiments.

Way back when this project was first announced there was a mention of Yakovlev having involvement with a potential STOL or V/STOL variant. My guess is that either Yakovlev or Sukhoi has worked to manipulate the vectored thrust engines to allow for short takeoff and landing capability.

…Which should be of interest for the Russian Navy.

Have a look at this! – its a model, but VERY impressive! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Eh3pMC-1o

If you liked that, you’ll love this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6y46B6G_3c