Richard Herman

His first three books are very good and worth picking up,nonpilot

I haven’t read it myself yet, but Richard Herman’s ”The Warbirds” is about a F-4 fighter wing and its highly rated. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0380708388/qid=1114444288/sr=1-11/ref=sr_1_0_11/202-0968521-5743849

Mig-23 vs Peruvain Mig-29 cost

Hello Flogger
Since your knowledge of the Mig-23/27 series is very strong I’ll direct this at you but others feel free to add in. In 1995 after the Peruvian-Ecuadorian border war Peru’s air force went out and bought in the following year 18 used Mig-29s from Belarus. I thought the main purpose of this purchase was to field a fighter which to combat Ecuador’s Kfir, Mirage F1E, and Jaguars aircraft. After reading about how Peru’s government spent hundreds of millions of dollars on these early model Fulcrums and then was forced to pay Russia even more to just to make these aircraft operational could they have spent their money better? Now remember were in 1996 now and Chile didn’t get the US approval yet to buy the advance F-16s block 60s yet so there not in the picture yet. Your main enemy Ecuador has Kfir C-7s with Python 3, I think and Mirage F1Es plus Jaguars. Your other enemy is Chile equipped with Mirage 50s and F-5E II. My question or questions are could a later model Mig-23 using slashing attacks or radar guided missiles beat Ecuador’s three types of fighters/attack aircraft? I know nothing about the maintenance needs or costs of the Mig-23 but after reading about what poor shape the Belarus Fulcrums were in couldn’t be worse right! Two engines vs. one and doesn’t Russia have hundreds of different Mig-23 retired so parts and extra engines (old) shouldn’t be a problem Peru I think spent around $350 million or a little more for the Fulcrums not including the added repairs done by the Russians to get them flying again and I think. Could have Peru’s air force instead of buying old Fulcrums buy old Mig-23s and upgraded them for less then buying 18 old Fulcrums? I would like to think Peru’s air force could have bought maybe 25 or 30 Mig-23-98 upgraded models for less then $400 plus million dollars. Again my knowledge on training cost, maintenance, weapons, used for both aircraft comparing then side by side is a little weak so I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on this thanks in advance nonpilot.

Janes

I am very interesting if you can please send me at [email]szeluff@htmail.com[/email], thanks in advance, Steven

Range

According to this link http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/su-25.htm
the Su-25/39 does better then the F-5s range/payload overall. A L-159 is an overkill in simple intercepts as well in most cases. I think if you compare Su-25/39 to the L-159 in range, payload, speed, you might be surprise. Which of the two new platforms give the best operational options like different weapons and layouts. I don’t know enough about pilots and maintenance training cost, spare parts, weapons cost. From what I read the Su-39 seems to offer more plus helment mounted AA-11s give it a little punch too. But I would like to see Mexico’s air force get F-16’s even if it’s only early models. A great lead in aircraft for now and the future and upgradeable. How many F-5’s does Mexico’s air force has now? Would 20 or 30 F-16’s block 15/20 A and Bs be enough to fill Mexico’s needs? Would 20 or 30 be enough to have Mexico’s air forces fast jets to begin drug intercepts? Even know it’s a dead project or aircraft type the F-20 Tigershark would have been a fine all around choice for Mexico’s air force but it can’t happen now. Getting back to the post the L-159 would do fine but I though production ended at 79 aircraft. Wouldn’t future aircraft or maybe spare parts be a problem? Two countries offer Su-25/39 upgrades and Russia still uses there’s seems to be more future for the Su-25/39 then the L-159s. Are there other types in this class of aircraft like the L-159 and Frogfoot’s that cost less then say a Hawk attack jet/trainer? Thanks

The Su-39 has horribly short range, that alone will kill the idea for Mexicos large patrol areas. Its also too much jet for simple drug intercept missions, a L-159 would be much cheaper to operate. And with 75 PC-9s, Mexico pretty much has CAS covered much more economically than with a handfull of Su-39s

Replace F-5s

I’m not sure what Mexico uses their F-5s for. If the main reason is just general protection etc, I think used F-16s block 15/20 etc is fine. For running down drug runners I would think a F-16 might be a bit of an overkill.

Do Cuba’s Mig-29s ever venture near Mexico’s air space?

I would think anti-drug missions might be their air forces main task so maybe a trainer lead in arcraft might be their best best. Something like an Su-39 could perform most of their missions and meet most of their training needs as well. But I don’t think the US would allow Mexico to buy Russian made jet aircraft. Buying Russian helicopters are one thing but jets I don’t think so. The US will most likey make them a very good offer on used F-16s in the end.