WIX Archives
Re: Air Field Strikes
Posted by Brad on Thu Apr 03, 2003 11:40:17 AM
In reply top Re: Air Field Strikes posted by Mike Henniger on Thu Apr 03, 2003 07:53:46 AM
Mig-17's could actually be very credible air to air threats, at least to us slow movers. The reason I am not too worried about it is the fact that fast movers roll in and take them out as soon as the cockpits are opened. Still, they might miss so the threat is there.
I don't know that their planes have been well maintained(I seriously doubt it), but I do know some are operational. Dependability is a completly seperate question.
They have been able to fly in central Iraq over the last decade, the no fly zones are only in the southern and northern areas. Sanctions did work pretty well in this area, they weren't able to fly enough to even maintain currency. I don'know if they have many spares for the older Migs, but I know that they have experienced difficulty in obtaining spares for the newer stuff. Except for the Mirages, the French have happily smuggled in parts for them.
: As this is a touchy subject I first want to state that I a
: m not in any way trying to be critical of the coalition fo
: rces.
:
: MiG-17s may not be a credible air-to-air threat against mo
: dern aircraft, but with modifications and WMD they could b
: e very deadly cruise missiles. Even a Cessna would for th
: at matter. We may be shocked at the destruction airframes
: , but unfortunately they are still valid targets.
:
: My question is, how well have these aircraft been maintain
: ed? A MiG-17 just is parked for years can't just be fired
: up and flown. With the well enforced no-fly-zone of the
: last decade, I doubt Iraq could take anything up, even for
: a test flight, without being a target. So here is one po
: ssibly encouraging question. Does Iraq have a large stash
: of spare parts for these aircraft?
:
: Regards,
:
: Mike