Warbird Information Exchange

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oSgHCXA ... re=related

Good question why we havent seen more advanced russian warbirds yet? , i guess because of the ability that the 3rd genartion ie 1950s are still front line and really pack a punch still

what is the genetic link in regard to russians & bushy eyebrows?? ratskis no eyebrows on this emoticon!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

That is some of it, but a lot of it is due to cold, hard cash. The Russians used titanium like we use aluminum. They have the largest reserves in the world of titanium and thus it was cheap for them to use. However, today, it's very valuable and because of that, most of the former Soviet countries are scrapping their airplanes as soon as they stop flying them to get the money from all that titanium. I seriously doubt you'll ever see many aircraft beyond the MiG-21 in private hands ever for this reason.

I'd speculate it is because the complexity and cost of maintaining and flying more modern jets makes owning 'em an even bigger moneypit.

The Mig 15's and 17's and the trainers are relatively simple aircraft with flying characteristics (runway needs, stall speeds, etc) that are only one step up from common bizjets. Step into a Mig 21, 23, 27, or other more modern jet and you start having to deal with significantly higher stall speeds, tremendous complexity, or both.

These guys operate both the Mig 21 and the Mig 23 in the US..
http://www.warbirdsofdelaware.com/html/mig-23.html