“Who has the bigger stick” is a good analogy for determining which fighter aircraft prevails over its competition. Bigger and faster certainly seem to have the upper hand, but history has shown that this isn’t always the case in military warfare. Take, for example, the IJN’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, which introduced the use of carriers and aircraft. With little resistance, the A6M Zero dominated proceedings until the USN mounted an epic comeback that severely crippled Japan’s ability to fight.
The race for air superiority reached its peak in production and design during the Cold War. As much as technology has advanced, this era of fighter design continues to play an important role today. The fastest jet fighter remains the Mig-25 Foxbat, while its closest Western rival, the F-15, is still in production today.
BΑE Sea Harrier Vs IΑI Dagger
The true test of any fighter jet is how effective it is in a combat scenario. Up until 1982, the Sea Harrier, although agile and capable, was an unproven aircraft. Flying off the decks of Hermes and Invincible 28, BΑE Sea Harriers provided air defense for the Royal Navy’s task force. On paper, the ΑΑF equipped with Mirage IIIs and license-built IΑI Daggers had the edge.
However, the Harriers’ clever vectored thrust nozzles proved maneuverability was more than a match for speed. Able to turn, stop, and even reverse flight, the Harrier was untouchable, downing 20 enemy aircraft during the conflict.
Supermarine Spitfire Vs Messerschmitt Bf-109
In terms of sheer numbers, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 takes the lead with an astounding 35,000 aircraft produced by the end of WWII. It was one of the most advanced fighters of its time, featuring an all-metal monocoque construction and a closed canopy design. When it came to performance, the Messerschmitt outpaced its rivals, reaching a top speed of 426 mph.
In response, Supermarine Aircraft was hard at work creating the legendary Spitfire. It shared a similar stressed-skin single-seat fighter design. Initially, the Spitfire, powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine, couldn’t quite match the performance of its German counterpart. However, with several upgrades, the Spitfire would eventually regain air superiority, particularly with the arrival of the Mark IX in 1942.
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom Vs Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
Sixty years after its launch, the F-4 Phantom is still a formidable speed machine. Only one carrier-based fighter since has gone faster than the F-4’s Mach 2.23 record. However, supersonic speed requires bigger, heavier engines, with the Phantom exceeding 61,000 pounds at take-off.
Faced with smaller and more agile MiG fighters during the Vietnam campaign, U.S. combat losses of Phantoms totaled 382 aircraft. In comparison, VPAF figures recorded 131 aircraft lost to enemy fire. The single-seat MiG-17 bore the greatest casualties with 75 downed aircraft.
Grumman F4F Wildcat and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero
During the early stages of World War II, the Grumman F4F Wildcat found itself pitted against the formidable Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Introduced in 1940, the Zero was initially the undisputed king of the skies, thanks to its unique wing and fuselage construction that saved weight while enhancing strength. Japanese pilots achieved an impressive 12 to 1 kill ratio.
In contrast, the F4F Wildcat had a distinctly different design. Although it sacrificed some weight and size for performance, it offered superior protection and could withstand significant damage while still remaining airborne. As the Pacific campaign progressed, improved tactics began to negate the Zero’s advantages, leveling the playing field in the skies.
Fokker D VII Vs Spad VII
Aircraft of WWI vintage were basic at best. They were little more than flying carpentry projects, hastily assembled with wire strings and fabric. Germany’s Fokker-Flugzeugwerke D VII was produced in huge numbers, with 3,300 examples manufactured by 1918. By the end of the war, any remaining airworthy examples were turned over to the Allies as part of the armistice treaty.
In contrast, to combat the threat presented by the Fokker, France’s SPAD produced over 6,000 VIIs. With larger production volumes aside, this rivalry was stacked in favor of the Fokker, boasting a more powerful 185 hp BMW engine and twin LMG 08/15 machine guns.
The Grumman F14 Tomcat vs. Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21
Introduced in 1974, the F14 provided frontline defense until its retirement in 2006. Despite its lengthy 30+ year operation, US Navy F14s scored only 5 kills. However, the aircraft type is credited with downing 130 hostile aircraft for Iran, the only other operator of the F14.
Facing off against the F14 in Soviet-built Mig-21 Fishbed fighters, Iranian air force pilots put up a stern defense. However, the F14’s superior twin-engine performance envelope, along with better pilot training, resulted in a loss of 23 aircraft. By the Tomcat’s premature retirement, it had racked up 135 kills, coming in second to the F4 Phantom it replaced.
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle vs. Sukhoi Su-27
To date, these rivals have yet to meet in a combat situation. However, without the unmatched capabilities and durability of the F-15 Eagle, it’s possible that the Sukhoi Su-27 wouldn’t even exist. The F-15 made its debut in 1972 at the height of the Cold War and has been extensively updated since then, playing an integral role in the USAF. To date, no F-15 has been lost in action.
Arriving on the scene some years later, the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker shares a similar twin rudder, swept-wing layout with the F-15. Powered by twin Saturn AL-31 turbofan engines, the Flanker is only slightly slower, reaching Mach 2.35. Without a direct head-to-head scenario, it’s too close to call which one would come out on top.
North American P-51 Mustang Vs Focke-Wulf Fw-190
The P-51 Mustang played a pivotal role in WWII. Its extended range gave Allied bomber crews a round trip level of protection that no other fighter could deliver. The best fighter of WWII? Not quite, the Spitfire was faster and more agile, while the Luftwaffe had two superior fighters in the Bf-109 and Fw-190.
Swapping out the intended Allison engine for a Rolls-Royce V12 transformed the Mustang’s fortunes. At higher altitudes, the re-engined Mustang could fly faster without impacting range. However, over enemy territory, the Fw-190 had little need for extended range. Luftwaffe pilots instead were able to exploit its weight advantage to out-turn the Mustang.
Grumman F9F Panther Vs Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Two radically different aircraft designs that came together in a chance meeting during the Korean War. The ensuing engagement changed dogfighting forever, with the U.S. underdog coming out on top. At the time, U.S. aircraft manufacturers were still grappling with the transition to jet power, and as a result, the F9F still used a straight-wing design.
The MiG, however, was a more advanced design incorporating a swept wing for improved agility. There are other mitigating factors; Russian-built jet engines lagged behind those of the U.S. In what became a battle between speed, agility, and pilot skill, the F9F scored the first jet-on-jet combat kill.
The F22 Raptor Vs F35 Lightning II
Aviation rivalries are usually an international affair, making this duo unique. The F-22 Raptor entered service in 2005, touted as the most advanced jet fighter ever. As a result, only the USAF operates the type with 187 operational aircraft.
The race for sixth-generation dominance hasn’t ended there. Faced with a growing number of highly capable Chinese fighters in the pipeline, Lockheed Martin has another high-tech weapons platform in production. The F35 Lightning differs in being a VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) jet capable of supersonic speeds. Which is best? Currently, the F35 wins, with 800+ aircraft in service.
