(I know this is not ww2, but it is a what-if)
For the sake of discussion, let's assume that aircraft with variable geometry wings don't materialize, apart of those in experimental form. No F-111, MiG-23, B-1 or Tornado as we know them. Any great loss for the military aviation's capability back in cold war and 1990s? How might've look the most prominent 'medium bombtrucks' that Su-24, F-111 and Tornado were historically? Big 'modern' bombers? What instead of F-14? The TSR-2 gets the lease of life?
Swing wing technology worked. Long range, efficient subsonic cruise, good supersonic cruise, good approach speeds and very high dash speeds. Latter technology came in that made swing wings unnecessary. These included 1 Much higher Thrust to Weight ratio engines and 2 Much more fuel efficient engines and 3 Light weight airframe materials.
These meant the swing wing became unnecessary but the technology to make and F15 or F16 didn't exist when the F-111 entered service. The F-111 was a tremendous aircraft with massive range and a high dash speed able to penetrate at low altitude with little effect by turbulence due to high wing loading in swept configuration.
The Panavia Tornado suffered from many of the issues European projects did. Insufficient budget to complete the project fast and the need to share work among member nations resulting in late product.
TSR-2 didn't have swing wings so needed ungainly long undercarriage to get enough rotation to have a short enough field length.
UK/Germany though high speed low altitude penetration would be essential hence swing wing. US assumed go high and jam. Is this a good idea against Russian equipment handled by Russian forces.
