The planes we love today got about the same treatment the F-35 gets now. Remember the F-22? The V-22? "SSDD" Different airplane, but the same story, same criticisms. Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was.
The critics who hated the F-15, F-16, F-17 >> F/A-18 when they were prototypes under trial now love them and, of course, now hate the F-35 and think more F-15s, F-16s and F/A-18s are the answer.
Decade after decade, design after design, it's the same old, same old.
In addition to the aircraft you cite, the "Left" was determined to destroy the M-1 Abrams. I think they were conclusively proven wrong a little over 20 years ago.
Those Wright Flyers were DEATHTRAPS, I tell ya!