Hey Brat I do not know whether you visit this thread,but on the asumption you do, what are your thoughts on what this Russian pilot think about the USAF in the the first 10 minutes of this oldish video.
This isn't just directed to Brat so anyone is free to comment if so desired.
Entertaining video, highly complimentary to Russian aviation in general, and their fighter aircraft in particular, Jeff Ethel was taking a ride in a Russian SU-27, and paying for it, prolly 8 to 12,000 dollars US. He is NOT a fighter pilot, but a writer and aviation enthusiast. As to the Russian pilots and their commentary, we see a lot of "generalization" about how robust the Russian aircraft are, and how tough the Russian pilots are, (note the conversation about G-Suits, or G-Pants).
As I said entertaining video, and highly complimentary to the Russians, I wouldn't make bank on anything in this video, but it does reflect on the very different philosophies of the Russian and US Fighter communities. As B787 would tell you I am highly biased that the US aircraft and tactics are worlds and away superior as to quality, and methodology, but as the US pilots stated, "I would never count the Russians out", they are formidable, and they do "take it to the max".
The Russians are "master showman" and beat on their aircraft in ways that no US pilot would dream of, even departing their OVT equipped aircraft at fairly low altitudes to "WoW!" the crowds. The Mig 29 crash at the Paris Airshow is an example of just how far they go, losing an engine caused that Mig-29 to enter a VMC roll to the right, from which the pilot could not recover??? He and the crowd were "very Lucky" that day, LOL.