3 ms·

Planes aren't just for dropping bombs on people, the PR value of them is part of their power. You have to have the domestic population thinking they have the be

Planes aren't just for dropping bombs on people, the PR value of them is part of their power. You have to have the domestic population thinking they have the best planes. Sadly the F-35 is failing in this latter role. At a recent air show in the UK it was the elderly Ukrainian Sukhoi machines that got the gasps of oohs and aahs from the crowd. The crowd were not what you might call communist, they just know what planes put on the best show. There are no figures bandied around regarding the PR value of the F-35. Facts don't come into it when emotions are involved and the F-35 is fundamentally not loved or held in awe. Plenty of times the USAF have had planes that amaze everyone's inner 9 year old, the F-35 just doesn't cut it. Meanwhile, in Russia, lots of people take pride in their war planes and believe them to be the best in the world. It could be argued with fact things that their planes are rubbish but facts have nothing to do with belief. Ultimately it comes down to the air show, not what the pilots say, whether they are paid shills or not. And nope, there is no use for a 'Cobra manoeuvre' but the crowds lap it up, think their pilots are aces and let their kids join the armed forces on that basis.

jazzyjackson 8y ago
Interesting point about talent acquisition... if you want the best pilots you have to put on a good show for them when they're kids xD
Bendingo 8y ago
> could be argued with fact things that their planes are rubbish This is the first time I've heard that Russian war planes are rubbish. Please share some of these fact things.
- Macross8299 8y ago
  https://migflug.com/jetflights/the-combat-statistics-for-all-the-aircraft-currently-in-use/ https://migflug.com/jetflights/the-combat-statistics-for-all... Not a definitive combat record of all modern jets by any means and one could argue that many of the losses of MiGs from export client states were due to poor training, poor maintenance, outdated/inferior export models or having to fight Israelis constantly ;) But then again, when Russian and Israeli pilots went head to head [1] the Russian fighter planes did not really hold their own there either. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rimon_20 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rimon_20
threeseed 8y ago
You can't possibly be serious. The US isn't spending hundreds of billions just to make the people think their country is the best. I doubt most people even know what an F-18, F-22 or F-35 are.

jazzyjackson 8y ago

Interesting point about talent acquisition... if you want the best pilots you have to put on a good show for them when they're kids xD

Bendingo 8y ago

> could be argued with fact things that their planes are rubbish This is the first time I've heard that Russian war planes are rubbish. Please share some of these fact things.

Macross8299 8y ago
https://migflug.com/jetflights/the-combat-statistics-for-all-the-aircraft-currently-in-use/ https://migflug.com/jetflights/the-combat-statistics-for-all... Not a definitive combat record of all modern jets by any means and one could argue that many of the losses of MiGs from export client states were due to poor training, poor maintenance, outdated/inferior export models or having to fight Israelis constantly ;) But then again, when Russian and Israeli pilots went head to head [1] the Russian fighter planes did not really hold their own there either. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rimon_20 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rimon_20

threeseed 8y ago

You can't possibly be serious. The US isn't spending hundreds of billions just to make the people think their country is the best. I doubt most people even know what an F-18, F-22 or F-35 are.