<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by swiftdraw:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Janne:<BR><BR>b) F-14 Tomcats were not supposed to engage in dogfights. They were supposed to shoot their targets down 100 miles away with their Phoenix-missiles. In actual dogfight, I think they wold have lost, since they are not deisgned for dogfighting. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Actually, for it's size, the F-14 was a highly maneuverable aircraft and could hold it's own in a dogfight. All really comes down to the pilot.<BR><BR>That said, in a hostile engagement, you're right. They'd try to eliminate the threat as far away from the carrier force (and themselves) as possible. Though a 100 mi is a bit much as that was the maximum range of the phoenix. Probably more like 70 if they used the phoenix instead of the cheaper Sparrow or similar AAM. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>The problem with using the phoenix missile is that when you are not at war (or in a free fire zone), you have to usually visually ID the bandit first, or wait for them to shoot at you before you can engage. By that time, you are more likely to use a Sparrow or sidewinder since you are too close for a phoenix. The phoenix was designed more for stopping long-range bombers from getting to the carriers, not for close-in combat with fighters.<BR><BR>As to Top Gun, I always hated how they had 360 degree radar onboard the tomcats. They would show the RIO's screen as a normal rotating radar screen, which it doesn't. And why didn't the carrier have a hawkeye up, providing coverage? That last fight scene, where a fifth "MIG" magically appears behind the tomcats? WTF?<BR><BR>And no mention of the 100mile Exocet range mentioned in the movie?
