(David Joston) wrote in message om...
Would you all stop bickering about the Syrian Flankers and Iranian
Frogfoots!

Picking up a copy of the 2002 edition of Jane's aircraft recognition
guide it clearly states that Iran DOES operate the Su-25 and Syria
DOES NOT operate any Su-27 Flankers.

Since Jane's is the world's authority on aircraft that should settle
the matter.

Are you kidding? Janes isn't infallible and that Aircraft Recognition
Guide is exactly what you claimed my reference was- a guide!!! It
doesn't even feature the MiG 1.42/MFI 1.44, Su-47 Firkin, KAI AT-50,
etc... So much for being up to date!

I also have the book Rob got his information from. It is a good book
for the price $20, but it is meant only as guide, not an authoritative
source of material. Every other volume comes out 2 years from the
previous one making the information contained at the time of printing
obsolete. The publication also includes aircraft deals that may or may
not be filled or just plain cancelled.

And you failed to mention that all aircraft included in deals are
marked with an asterik in the inventory section. In the individual
aircraft columns any significant purchases or licensed production is
noted.

So, buy the guide for updated information on individual aircraft like
the MiG 1.44, Su-47, Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, etc... and leave the
inventory facts to Jane's.

That's my suggestion.

Suggestion noted and rejected. There are just too many references to
Syria picking up some Su-27s from Russia in 2000 and likewise no
mention of operational Su-25s for Iran, although in 2003 there are
news sources that report Iran was aquiring additional Su-25 airframes.

Also, I was disturbed by Tom Cooper's comments about not trusting
aviation reference books since he, himself, is the co-author of two on
Iranian aircraft. A bit hypocritical Tom? You should have just said to
properly make the distinction between aircraft reference books that
are to be used as guides and serious authoritative books like Jane's
to settle disputes.

Tom Cooper makes all sorts of annoying comments and thinks he's an
authority on all things pertaining to the Iranian AF. That's why he
can't provide information of the number of Su-25s supposedly operated
by Iran, their units, tailnumbers, bases, or any photographic proof of
any flying.

We all have lots of aviation books but I would dare say 99% of them
are outdated or wrong. Such is the foolishness of trying to print
anything realted to aviation that is historically accurate,
technically flawless, or up to date.

I'll agree with you on this point. Anyone who keeps aviation reference
material is forced to update constantly. I merely tried to provide
basic information on the strengths of both the Syrian and Iranian AF
as compared to the Israeli AF. Even if there are some discrepancies
the picture remains the same with Israel far outclassing the other two
AFs in terms of aircraft, quality, units, and training.


Rob

Just my opinion,
BGX