The Russians really were aviation pioneers

[Old Koreelah]

If it wasn't for the paranoia of Stalin, Soviet aircraft designers would have swept the field.

 

This video is a good antidote for generations of Soviet censorship and Western media bias.

 

 

 

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

 

[kgwilson]

Excellent doco. Popular western propaganda has people believing that the Russians got their ideas from the west when in fact the reverse is more accurate. Their rocket technology was far superior to the Germans & the Americans had none at all in those days. If Stalin hadn't held everything back who knows where they would be now. Even now though I think that they have the best fighter/attack aircraft in the Sukhoi 27 to 35 family, the Antonov heavy lifters are unmatched, & they currently have the only way to get people to & from the international space station.

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

I agree, KG. But for Australia's status as a key ally (or lackey) of the US, we'd be far better off buying Russian jets and developing our own software for them. The Russians build warplanes tough and far more tolerant of rough conditions than American aircraft- surely more suitable for any future war on our turf. Our nearest neighbour has many of Russia's best fighters, while John Howard bypassed a RAAF selection process to lock us into buying the F-35- which might end up being a great system, but very dependant on refuelling tankers and US support. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpPSPQq7oas

 

 

[w3stie]

I was at Farnborough in 1996, and one of the standout performances was by the Sukhoi 37, which the pilot had literally standing on its tail. It was a beautiful looking jet too.

 

 

[kgwilson]

A lot has been said about the F35 and most of it has been far from complimentary. They have a software system that is multi functional and they have tried to make that system into an aircraft, the F35 and make it  do everything. It is like a Jack of all trades but master of none. It is not very good at any of the roles it is built for. Not only that the first examples were 10 years behind schedule and by then avionics, stealth and every other technology had advanced exponentially. Lockheed Martin & the US Government has dragged so many other players and countries into the mire and after more than $US1.5 trillion has been spent they have a lemming. The trouble is the cost means it is like GM during the GFC, deemed too big to fail.

 

 

[willedoo]

I like the way they design a lot of gear to handle their rough conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

[Marty_d]

Hate to be a cleaner for that airline...