I recently bought the Meng G-91 (Ouch! $47.00 for a G-91???) and began to think, it's not much different in size from the Gnat...which would be the victor in a dogfight? What types of schemes would you envision them in, if sold to third world countries?
Discuss...
Alvis 3.1
Not much different in size huh?
(that's Bristol's Orpheus test fleet, in case you're wondering.)
Given that the Gnat is much smaller but has the same engine, I suspect it would win the dogfight with the G.91. However overall pros and cons might lead a third-world country to the G.91 anyway:
Gnat Pros:
Smaller
Probably more agile
Probably better climb rate
Better guns (unless the G.91 is an R.3)
Gnat Cons:
High-pressure tires so needs hard runways
Very little fuel
Only two hardpoints, so choice between bombs or tanks
Small cockpit: too small for some pilots
Dodgy tailplane jack that causes crashes
G.91 Pros
Four pylons
Rough field capable
Built-in recce capability
Full size cockpit
Easy maintenance and quick turnaround
G.912 cons
Bigger than the Gnat
Probably lower performance than the Gnat
Weak guns (unless it's an R.3)
Colours schemes for G.91s? Well they'd probably be used as fighter-bombers rather than pure fighters, so appropriate local cammo uppers and blue or grey undersides.