Scott Ferrin wrote:

On Wed, 10 Sep 2003 20:26:11 +0100, Ken Duffey
wrote:

Mike Marron wrote:

Ken Duffey wrote:

[snip]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++
Ken Duffey - Flanker Freak & Russian Aviation Enthusiast
Flankers Website - http://www.flankers.co.uk/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++

I've gotta ask, what made you such a Russian aviation enthusiast?
I'm no expert on Russian A/C, but I've always thought Russian
(Soviet, then) jet aircraft were/are beautiful due to their sleek,
radical raked back wings, tails, and slabs or cranked delta wings
with canards, and graceful yet belligerent looking fuselages,
air intakes, etc. For example, parked next to an F-15, the Su-27 is by
far the more aggressive, mean-looking and "manly" of the two (IMO).
Same goes for an F-16 vis a vis MiG-29. And next to a MiG 1.42
"Raptor Killer," the F-22 looks like a flying turd! Back in their day,
the Backfire bomber and even some of their cargo jobs were also
beautiful. Of course, they've had their share of Edsels roll off the
assembly line, but for the most part ya' gotta admire the Ruskies
style when it comes to designing beautiful jet aircraft.

-Mike Marron


I couldn't have put it better myself Mike !!

Russian aircraft just look so purposeful - and especially the Flanker.

It has that 'hooded cobra' look that is so mean looking and menacing at
the same time as being graceful.

Is it just me or could Sukhoi sell a lot more flankers if they were
painted Strike Eagle Gray? I saw picture of one painted partially
that color and thought "holy **** that looks AWESOME"

Personally, I've always liked the Su-15TM, with that green radome and cranked
wing. Beautiful from the front quarter, or in plan view.

The same is true of Russian warships - with their rakish bows and squat
silhouettes they just look so menacing - and they bristle with weaponry.

Same here. Back when I was first getting interested in ships. . .well
compared to a Kara the Belknap class looked pretty sorry.

OTOH, when you compare actual capability the scales tilt the other way, thus
showing that the old adage that an a/c (or ship) that looks right most likely
_is_ right, hasn't applied for some time, if ever.

Guy