I gave the wrong impression. I don't like the Russian AHs, but when I have flown with them, considering the symbology as an outside view of the aircraft seems to make sense more than trying to interpret them as you would the western instrument. I grew up with the western instrument and yes it does make more sense to me.
But it's all about what you trained with. I recall an accident report of an Egyptian 737 which flew into the Red Sea a few years ago. The report considered the Commander's previous experience with the Russian instrument as a factor as they thought he may have reverted to type when things went wrong.
I trained with the Mk1 horizon which would take at least 15 minutes to re-erect when toppled. A RDF letdown on the turn and slip was part of the IRT those days. Tell that to the kids of today, they just don't believe you!
And speaking of kids, mine don't want to be pilots. They just want to get a high score on their 'Ace Combat' game on the PS2. I won't dissapoint them!