Originally Posted by
KenV
Again, my intent was not to compare the F-35 against the Phantom or Tornado. My intent was to show that while the Phantom and Tornado were some of the best of their respective periods, BOTH were significantly worse than their opponents (1960/70 vintage Sukhoi's and MiGs) when it came to turn performance.
While true, the Phantom did have those powerful engines which allowed the F-4 to use energy/speed/vertical to overcome that turning differential. (Then again, my memory may be slipping). Speed is life.
So, when we look at energy management (aka Q) ... which SSE can speak to with authority ... does the F-35 have that going for it? I realize that we are once again tripping over apples and oranges comparisons in different eras, but I don't think that the basics of lift, energy management, and physics have changed since the Phantom flew over SEA fifty years ago.
If I am wrong, I am
very happy to be corrected.