Commets ?
Hardly a fair comparison ... Su product demo versus YF flight mishap.
Maneuverability is not the panacea it might appear. 180 degree heading
reversals in a phone booth certainly impress, but the aircraft is an
inviting target while performing them. It might be interesting to see a
1v1, guns only engagement between the two aircraft, but it'd be irrelevant.
Other aerodynamic factors ... speed, range, run-out capability, endurance
.... are more significant. Tactics (how you employ the aircraft) are
important. And the final argument is weapons system performance.
There are numerous examples of less-maneuverable aircraft gaining
superiority over their better turning adversaries. But I bet the Su is a
kick in the ass to fly!
R / John
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