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Old 19th Aug 2001, 15:42
  #28 (permalink)  
Jackonicko
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Without looking it up (always fatal) I'd say that your 109G weight may be on the light side for a fully-armed Defence of the Reich aircraft. Also, the uneven and unpredictable opening of the 109s slats were more of a hindrance than a help, making it a poor gun platform. With regard to roll rates, see Brown (Wings of Luftwaffe and Wings of the Weird and Wonderful parts 1 and 2 on the aircraft types discussed - 109G 190A Mustang). I remember seeing something more detailed (perhaps with parametrics in an Alf Price book (World War II fighter conflict/combat, if memory serves) but can't find it on the shelves.

With regard to the ORs of Tornado and MiG-29, my understanding is as BEags stated, that ADV was entirely optimised as a Northern Q, long range, high endurance BVR interceptor, intended primarily to stop enemy bombers and missile carriers steaming down through the GIUK gap. At that time, no-one expected the possibility of a 'Flanker' escort......

As such, the F2/F3 should perhaps be compared to the MiG-31, not the -29, which was conceived as a lightweight battlefield air defence/air superiority aircraft, operating from frontline strips (including roads) in good weather and with comprehensive GCI, and with a vital strike/attack capability (one squadron in every three squadron Regiment had a primary war role of nuclear strike using RN-40s, with the other regiments assigned to sweep and escort). It was the low element in a high:low mix of MFI and LFI (Su-27 and MiG-29), just as the F-16 was the low element in the FX:LWF mix.

Although Tornado, -29 and -27 entered service at much the same time, the development of the Russian types was quicker, and the two aircraft were not known about until they flew - five-six years before they entered frontline service.

The interesting allied MiG-29 counter would have been the aircraft which met AST409 (the RAFG FGR2 and Jag/Harrier replacement) - this eventually evolved into EF, of course, though without German prevarication and delays, and with off-the-shelf avionics (Blue Vixen and AMRAAM, perhaps, or APG-65) an aircraft could have been in service ten years ago. (Anyone remember the 'EAP?)

Archimedes' point about the 110 is an excellent one - in that aircraft you have one with superior SA (multi-crew), C3I (dedicated radio-op!) superior firepower, and well-trained, high quality crews (arguably the Luftwaffe's finest, since the Zerstorergruppen were Herman's pet project) with greater operational experience and better training. The aircraft was even fairly fast. But the more agile the opponent, the more of a 'sitter' it became.
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