Recent content by Sgt. Pappy

  1. Sgt. Pappy

    Cavanaugh Flight Museum Corsair almost ready for flight

    Doubt it... it looks to be an F4U-1C, with the 3-blade prop and patterned cowl flaps. I suspect down-grading an F4U-4 to an F4U-1 would take too much time and effort.
  2. Sgt. Pappy

    1989: F-15C MSIP vs. Su-27S

    This is true, but that is also akin to running into an ambush. USAF doctrine for the F-15 was reliable BVR fighting. Getting into a dogfight would have been suicide. Plus AWACs is an asset that would have to be protected at ALL costs. Having a dead AWACs would almost certainly mean retreat...
  3. Sgt. Pappy

    1989: F-15C MSIP vs. Su-27S

    I think the Flanker would have absolutely dominated in the dogfight. Its only problem was getting there. I think the situation for it may have improved in 1990 when the extended range R-27ER came out, because that missile can fly further and faster than even the AMRAAM which entered service soon...
  4. Sgt. Pappy

    What was the best stop-gap fighter of WWII?

    Those who had to bore the brunt of the Japanese Army in the siege of Imphal might disagree with you there.
  5. Sgt. Pappy

    1989: F-15C MSIP vs. Su-27S

    Yes, I've read this account before. However, I never realized that his inability to fire was due to an IFF problem. It seems like that thing causes more trouble than it's worth. Good thing for NCTR and AWACS - although I know those had problems too.
  6. Sgt. Pappy

    The Greatest Attack Aircraft of All Time...

    Too bad three's no De Havilland Mosquito... that was probably the most significant Allied attack plane of WWII. I'll take the Il-2 because it's always overshadowed and did what the A-10 did, but did it first!
  7. Sgt. Pappy

    What was the best stop-gap fighter of WWII?

    In terms of performance, the Spitfire XIV would probably trump the IX stop-gap. Technically, the Spitfire XVIII was to be the latest, but the XIV entered service in its stead. It has a slightly superior range (especially the FR. XIV) than the IX and easily better performance, though it did...
  8. Sgt. Pappy

    1989: F-15C MSIP vs. Su-27S

    Yes, I've read about this in Osprey's book dedicated to the F-15C in combat. There were a couple pilots who knew how to evade the F-15's radar - like the MiG-25's both listed. Then of course there were some really bad pilots like the MiG-29 guy who flew into the ground. The AIM-7 kills I was...
  9. Sgt. Pappy

    1989: F-15C MSIP vs. Su-27S

    Of course, which is why US air-to-air doctrine has always striven for superior teamwork, electronic superiority in the battlefield and BVR combat. But it did happen even in Desert Storm in 1991 because BVR superiority was not a guarantee for success. I think a lot of the AIM-7 kills in Desert...
  10. Sgt. Pappy

    1989: F-15C MSIP vs. Su-27S

    Accounting for: 1) Traditional performance at low, med and high altitudes 2) Radar/Sensor reliability, potency, power and capability 3) ECM/ECCM 4) Weapons 5) Support from AWACS and GCI (but NO other aircraft) Which do you think would win if the two planes had to fight it out by the end of 1989...
  11. Sgt. Pappy

    F-4E serial numbers in Vietnam

    I found a website with all the serial numbers of F-4E's produced: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II - Production List - Scramble. The thing is, I was trying to find any of the slat-equipped Phantom II's which served in Vietnam (if any) but the details of the aircraft which served with the USAF...
  12. Sgt. Pappy

    Cold War Champs

    There's no doubt the MiG would be a tough plane. But dodging missiles with turning isn't really likely. If anything, the Fulcrum could get a shot first though, at least WVR.
  13. Sgt. Pappy

    Cold War Champs

    Hm, something still tells me if it were the 80's, I'm sure I'd find difficulty if I were fighting a Flanker with its better maneuverability and off-bore sight firing capability. I'm not sure if superior speed and climb rates could really help you in the world of IR missiles.
  14. Sgt. Pappy

    Cold War Champs

    You are indeed correct, sir. The F-16C Blk 40 was also in service by this time. However, those two aircraft were meant for air-to-ground combat, and so were not included in the pole.
  15. Sgt. Pappy

    Cold War Champs

    I often read of modern fighter x vs. modern fighter y, and have even started some of those threads myself. What I've noticed is that it often boils down to who's got the best BVR capability. Well, let's rewind the clock, to the final years of the Cold War. The AIM-120 was only introduced near...
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