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[quote="NF_Utvol"]Seems that in the interceptor class everyone is forgetting the F-104. Baisically an overpowered jet engine with stubby wings and some sidewinder missiles. Its old, but it can do the duty of interceptor VERY well. The Canadian, German, and a couple other air forces are using them as their main interceptors. I think that all US air guard and reserves have finally retired the old StarFighter.[quote]

IIRC, the Starfighter was limited as an interceptor - fast and maneuverable, yes, but lacked the sophisticated sensors needed for fleet or continental defense.

Robert Treder wrote:

Ok we really don't need any of this "screw your RL fighters, I'll take my A-Wing!" shit....

NF_Utvol wrote:Seems that in the interceptor class everyone is forgetting the F-104. Baisically an overpowered jet engine with stubby wings and some sidewinder missiles. Its old, but it can do the duty of interceptor VERY well. The Canadian, German, and a couple other air forces are using them as their main interceptors. I think that all US air guard and reserves have finally retired the old StarFighter.

All the Canadian CF-104's are decommed, if not scrapped even. We use the CF-18.

Ted wrote:All the Canadian CF-104's are decommed, if not scrapped even. We use the CF-18.

On which F/A-18 variant is CF-18 based on and how does it differ from them?

Ten years ago when our air force chose F-18C and F-18D as its new planes after extensive competetition, they decided to use the Hornets solely as interceptors. This means that they have no ground attack capability whatsover and at the moment there are no plans to change this.


FAF F-18C

In dogfighting I can't see the overspecialised and sodding massive F22 being top-notch. The Eurofighter Typhoon could be good, what with its canard delta design made to allow 'supermanouvreability' (apologies for spelling errors) and manouvre during the post-stall region of flight at high angles of attack. (Though that in itself is a specialised feature really, I would have thought.)

But honestly I think it is aircraft like the F5, F16, MiG29 and Hawk that would dogfight the socks off everyone else.

NF_Utvol wrote:Seems that in the interceptor class everyone is forgetting the F-104. Baisically an overpowered jet engine with stubby wings and some sidewinder missiles. Its old, but it can do the duty of interceptor VERY well. The Canadian, German, and a couple other air forces are using them as their main interceptors. I think that all US air guard and reserves have finally retired the old StarFighter.

[img]http://frhewww.physik.uni-freiburg.de/~ ... 44.jpg[img]

F-104 lacks the range, sensors and warlord to be more then a point defense aircraft.

what about the french rafale (not sure about spelling)

johnpham wrote:what about the french rafale (not sure about spelling)

Not a bad aircraft, but I don't think very highly of it, and neither does the world. The Rafale has been beaten in export deals by the JA-39, F-35, F-15K, Su-30K, Typhoon and F/A-18E and that was just in the last 18 months..

So far it has had zero export orders. Cost and Dassault's awful record for spare parts delivery are really killing what little chance it had based on its merits as an aircraft.

I think the F-15 Eagle or F/A-18 Hornet are my favorites.

Sea Skimmer wrote:

NF_Utvol wrote:Seems that in the interceptor class everyone is forgetting the F-104. Baisically an overpowered jet engine with stubby wings and some sidewinder missiles. Its old, but it can do the duty of interceptor VERY well. The Canadian, German, and a couple other air forces are using them as their main interceptors. I think that all US air guard and reserves have finally retired the old StarFighter.

[img]http://frhewww.physik.uni-freiburg.de/~ ... 44.jpg[img]

F-104 lacks the range, sensors and warlord to be more then a point defense aircraft.

Thats what we are talkin bout isnt it? Hehe, fast i like fast planes with really big engines that go really really fast.

I can't belive the number of people on here who don't know what they are talking about...

ok, now that i've insulted everyone.....

This is about the best craft for ACM. Dogfighting in other words. Will occur in visual range, will be under 15 miles most of the time (IIRC.. that distance is hazy in my mind).

Some I've seen mentioned don't cut it in there for a number of reasons. The f-104 for example, has good speed and accelleration... but it's manouverbily leaves a LOT to be desired. The f-5 on the other hand starts off good, but it can't maintain (it's wing design bleads too much energy in turns). An f-15 is remarkibly agile for something it's size, but it's not realy a dogfighter at heart. Same with the F-14.

No, I'd say the best active duty ACM planes would be the Su-27 family, the Mig-29 family, the F-16 (later models expecialy), and I belive the Girppen (though I'm not 100% possitive about that one). The Harrier also is worth mentioning, but only in passing (at least to my knowledge).

Of course, if I realy wanted to be a stinker, I'd mention the A-10, which in a recent DAC excersice actualy beat the F-16 within visual range...