Su-27 and F-15 in air policing close encounter

Sparrow missiles required new fuse timing. F-15A could track the Foxbat fine.

Israeli pilots bagged Foxbats with face shots.

I was looking at USAF F-15/MiG-25 kills. I’m not that familiar with Israeli claims outside of the first MiG-25 kill that was credited to an F-15/Aim-7. I’m lacking in documentation in regards to the Israeli F-15 kills by weapon/type or scenario.

Looking through the admittedly spotty documentation, I can find two/three IDF F-15 kills on MiG-25, the very first one on 12/31/1980 which was accredited to an AIM-7, one on 03/02/81 and one in 8/31/1982 which is a shaired claim with ground fire. This jive with your information?

3 kills with conflicting dates? Tom Cooper?

"On 13 February 1981, the Israeli Air Force sent two RF-4Es over Lebanon as decoys for Syrian MiG-25 interceptors. As the MiGs scrambled, the RF-4Es turned back delivering chaff and using ECM pods. Two IDF/AF F-15As were waiting for the MiGs and shot one of them down with AIM-7F missiles. The other MiG was able to escape. In a similar engagement, on 29 July 1981, a Syrian MiG-25 was again downed by an Israeli F-15A, after which a second MiG-25 launched its R-40 missiles at the F-15 and its wingman, but they missed."

From Wiki with a book reference.

hythelday wrote..

"Much like the Shah, you are all over Tomcat purely because of the looks, not because of performance."

I agree with most of what you wrote, but disagree with you strongly here. I made many a performance based argument for F-14D and Super Tomcat vs. Super Hornet in another thread. Does it look badass? Sure does. But I cited many an example of its superior range, speed, kinematics, radar, weapons etc.

With respect to the F-14 vs. 15, I'd agree the Eagle is superior in most respects. But the F-14 was incredibly effective in its role, and nowhere have I read of Iranian pilots (or anyone else) lamenting the fact that they should have bought the F-15..

Wow. Lotta conflicting info on Israeli Foxbat kills with the F-15.

Is there a definitive resource? Tom Cooper??

This is an important piece of information IMO. I always wondered how effective the F-15 vs. Mig-25 really was. If GWI was any indication, bagging a Mig-25 wasn't easy. Those Iraqi pilots were good, albeit they made some mistakes too. I have no doubt the F-14 and F-15 ruined many a Foxbat's party.

Just would like to know which was more capable in downing one..

hythelday wrote..

"Much like the Shah, you are all over Tomcat purely because of the looks, not because of performance."

I agree with most of what you wrote, but disagree with you strongly here. I made many a performance based argument for F-14D and Super Tomcat vs. Super Hornet in another thread. Does it look badass? Sure does. But I cited many an example of its superior range, speed, kinematics, radar, weapons etc.

With respect to the F-14 vs. 15, I'd agree the Eagle is superior in most respects. But the F-14 was incredibly effective in its role, and nowhere have I read of Iranian pilots (or anyone else) lamenting the fact that they should have bought the F-15..

A shame they were never able to get the F401 working.

"On 13 February 1981, the Israeli Air Force sent two RF-4Es over Lebanon as decoys for Syrian MiG-25 interceptors.....

In Israeli F-15 Units in combat (S Aloni) there are pilot accounts of the above and the claims were:

13 Feb 1981 Benny Zinker (MiG-25P)
29 July 1981 Shaul Simon (MiG-25P)
31 August 1982 Shaul Schwartz ( MiG-25R was hit by a HAWK first and descended to lower alt)

All AIM-7Fs

In Israeli F-15 Units in combat (S Aloni)

That was the last name in the incomplete wiki citation. Thanks.

hythelday wrote..

"Much like the Shah, you are all over Tomcat purely because of the looks, not because of performance."

I agree with most of what you wrote, but disagree with you strongly here. I made many a performance based argument for F-14D and Super Tomcat vs. Super Hornet in another thread. Does it look badass? Sure does. But I cited many an example of its superior range, speed, kinematics, radar, weapons etc.

With respect to the F-14 vs. 15, I'd agree the Eagle is superior in most respects. But the F-14 was incredibly effective in its role, and nowhere have I read of Iranian pilots (or anyone else) lamenting the fact that they should have bought the F-15..

A shame they were never able to get the F401 working.

Indeed!

Tomcat is absolutely menacing...

Just looking at the book "Uncovering The Grumman F-14 A/B/D Tomcat". When people talk about the Tomcat's complexity they ain't kiddin'. Forget the APG-71/Phoenix and vision system below the nose for a moment. Just the mechanical complexity of the thing, compared to an Eagle or Super Hornet, is mind-boggling.