The best European 3rd gen, Single-Engined fighter: Viggen, Flogger, or Mirage F-1?

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Member for

6 years 2 months

Posts: 163

Enough time has passed and the last variants of these birds is now going away.

I think these three are interesting as they are in many ways similar. Single-Engined aircraft associated mainly with the 70s and early 80s
designed for European woppers. about the same weight class

Sweden and Soviets went a similar approach.. multiple a2a, a2g, rec variants based on a common air frame
Same for Mirage F1, although it had less variants and went more multi-role

the main difference was the wing and and configuration.

now that we got all the data and can look back.
which was the better design overall? or better for each mission?

Original post

Member for

8 years 5 months

Posts: 126

The Mig-23 was the worst of the 3 for air to air.

The Mirage F1 had the longer reach with its Super 530D missile
the JA-37, especially in the 80s, had the better radar and better medium range missiles. I think at the end of its life it could even fire AMRAAM

MiG-23 was probably far more maintenance heavy and expensive to operate i bet with its swing wings.

but for air to ground roles, I think this is harder.

Mig-27 swing wings did give it better low speed performance and the type did well in India
Mirage F1 could carry the exocet
I believe teh AJ-37 probably had the best load capability

Member for

6 years 2 months

Posts: 163

The Mig-23 was the worst of the 3 for air to air.

The Mirage F1 had the longer reach with its Super 530D missile
the JA-37, especially in the 80s, had the better radar and better medium range missiles. I think at the end of its life it could even fire AMRAAM

MiG-23 was probably far more maintenance heavy and expensive to operate i bet with its swing wings.

but for air to ground roles, I think this is harder.

Mig-27 swing wings did give it better low speed performance and the type did well in India
Mirage F1 could carry the exocet
I believe teh AJ-37 probably had the best load capability

For air to ground, the Flogger wasnt too bad.

Useful pylons for bombs and shet

Mirage 4 only, (other 2 AAMs only)
Flogger 4, the other 3 are likely only missiles or fuel tank
Viggen 4-6 depending on weapon

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 949

Mirage 4 only, (other 2 AAMs only)

http://aviadejavu.ru/Images6/AE/AE72-4/173-2.jpg

http://www.geocities.ws/aeronavesfaeaeecenepa/imagenes/fae-mf1-05.jpg

1Saludo