Почему в СССР не был создан аналог Фантома?

На F-14 с МиГ-21 в маневренном бою могли тягаться только очень опытные летчики. Ахилессовой пятой «Томкэта» на протяжении всей его карьеры оставалась низкая тяговооруженность, а на виражах преимущества перед МиГом он не имел, даже располагая крылом изменяемой стреловидности. Огромный в сравнении с 21-м «Томкэт» достаточно легко обнаруживался визуально, в то время как разглядеть маленький камуфлированный «ястребок» на фоне пустыни было той еще задачей. Джемс Робб после службы в 4477-й принял вооруженную «Томкэтами» эскадрилью VF-51. По его мнению, МиГ-21 следовало бить ракетами и ни в коем случае не ввязываться в маневренный бой.

 

What the Planes Should Do If Encountering a MiG-21

• If you are flying an F4C, D, or E and a MiG 21 finds you below an altitude of 15,000 feet you had better run away. Speed is life.
• If you are flying an F-105 and a MiG 21 finds you, avoid prolonged maneuvering engagements. Get into the MiG-21 blind cone, use mutual flight support, and use hit-and run tactics. Maintain maximum airspeed below 15,000 feet and do not get in a turning fight. Speed is life, and you can only go in a straight line.
• If you are flying an F-111 and a MiG 21 finds you, remember the MiG has superior turn performance everywhere. Below 15,000 feet, the MiG-21 has superior level acceleration up to its speed limit. When attacked get below 15,000 feet and above the MiG-21 speed limit of .98 Mach. Again, speed is life, and you can only go in a straight line.
• If you are flying an F-100D and a MiG 21 finds you, remember the MiG-21 has significant turn performance and level acceleration advantages. Avoid maneuvering, use hit-and-run, mutual support, and again, Speed is life, and you can only go in a straight line.
• If you are flying an F-104 and a MiG 21 finds you, remember the MiG-21 has superior turn capability. Avoid maneuvering, use hit-and-run, mutual support, and defend yourself by accelerating above MiG-21 limit speed. Speed is life, and you can only go in a straight line.
• If you are flying an F-5A, you can closely simulate the MiG-21 up to Mach 1.2 for combat engagements.
• If you are flying an RF-101 and a MiG 21 finds you, remember the MiG-21 has a slight advantage in afterburner and superior turn capability everywhere. When caught by a MiG-21 dive and run, speed is life.
• If you are flying a B-66 and a MiG 21 finds you, you are a target.
• If you are flying an RF-4C and a MiG 21 finds you, dive, and run, speed was life.
• If you are flying a Navy F-8E and a MiG 21 finds you, the MiG can out turn the F-8 in a close in fight. Speed if life.
• If you are flying at Navy A-4F, A-6A, or A-7A and a MiG 21 finds you; the MiG-21 pilot can choose to engage or disengage you at will. You are a target, however, with a chance to live.

 

The MiG-21 was far superior at close in maneuvering than the F-4. Never attempt close in maneuvering unless it becomes apparent the MiG-21 pilot is incompetent or holding a definite position advantage.