JF
" (In combat manoeuvring) it's hard to beat the sfc of a large subsonic turbofan"
Absolutely agree.
I was the RAF trials pilot on the definitive Phase 2 VIFF trial (flown in a GR3 with AIM9G plus SEAM), versus a Lightning Mk3 and a Hunter Mk 6 in the same sortie on Aberporth range. In each mission the 3 Combats against the Lightning were just 3 mins each and then he had to go home; against the Hunter we could manage 5 mins. No big fuel problem managing 6 engagements with the GR3.
The souped-up GR3 was XV277, ( with beefed - up nozzle drive etc.), last seen at Scottish Aviation Museum East Fortune.
Happy days.