The comment about the Mirage v F/A-18 being an aerodynamic step backwards was not particularly well thought out.
The Mirage maximum speeds were limited to speeds similar to those of the F/A-18 when it had even the smallest of practical usable external loads. The Mirage needed a Rutowski climb profile to get to Mach 2 and didnt have much fuel left to do anything when it got there.
Thread drift - I was just watching an old recently rediscovered 1991-92 Four Corners program about a spate of RAAF crashes in the early 90s - the 707 off ESL and the Tindal F/A-18 accident.
In the period since the program - 20 years, how many classics have returned on a single engine?
I dont want to put a hex on the Hornet guys, but its been a pretty unprecedented period of operation since the loss of the last Hornet - in comparison with any air force, anytime in history.
What has made the difference? What are they doing that is better than previously? Is it just technological advancements that have made this possible - similar to civilian TCAS?
Anyway, well done to those men and women of the RAAF - may you all keep it up!!
And would love to hear from the guys who are lucky enough to be able to share unclassified stories about similarities and differences of operating the classic v. the rhino.