Quote:
Originally Posted by Commander Wallace
The F-14 was a great aircraft once it was re-engined with the General Electric Engines. unfortunately, with the engine nacelles spaced as far apart as they were, if airflow was disrupted to one engine and it stalled, It could throw the aircraft into a flat spin. The F-14 had a range no other fighter aircraft could match including the F-18 Hornets and Super Hornets. To use F-18's close to a contested means having tanker support close which exposes the tankers to enemy fire.
The fire control suite was state of the art for it's time as well. Unfortunately, the AIM-54 Phoenix air to air missiles the F-14 carried had an inflated reputation, as I understand it. The F-14 was a robust aircraft but was said to need 6 hours maintenance for every hour flown.
The Swedish Saab Drakken, Viggen and now the JAS 39 Gripen were all said to be unique and capable aircraft, especially the Viggen with it's double Delta Wings. The Swedes were certainly thinking " out of the box " with these aircraft. 
The Swedes really know how to engineer an aircraft. |
Oh remember when I was a young lad around 12-14 years old Then my biggest dream was to be a fighter pilot and fly the JA 37 Viggen. When I was around 20 My doctor said I did not have the body for it.
Since then my biggest dream was and still are-To become a doctor-Lung and heart doctor.
This is not some kind of military secret-The engine in the JAS 39 Gripen is so build it would take 4 soldiers around 30 minutes to take it out and replace it-Same with weapons around 20-30 minutes to rearm the jet.
Markus