[Nowhere Man]

I was just thinking of when I was a kid they had fighters which were just as fast as what we have now.

In 1963, 50 years ago, the F-104 would do 1500 mph.

I know, I think with the exception of electronics, we have reached a plateau in jet fighter technology around 1960 or so. I get in trouble for saying this but I think if you add in some avionics upgrades to an F-4, F-14 or even a MiG-21, it can do most of what an F-22 or a Sukhoi-30 can do today. I always admired the more, cheaper fighters like the F-5/F-16/F-20 as well.

Same with firearms, we basically hit a plateau about 75 or 100 years ago with the exception of plastics. I'm sure you could make an M-16 or M-4 with a wooden stock and grip using 1930's technology although it would be somewhat heavier to lug around.

The only downside of an F-16 is that it cannot be operated from a carrier but that's what we have the F-18's of various mods and marks for, although we should have kept the F-14.

[driftdiver]

“I get in trouble for saying this but I think if you add in some avionics upgrades to an F-4, F-14 or even a MiG-21, it can do most of what an F-22 or a Sukhoi-30 can do today. “

Not even close except for the F14.

[yarddog]

I think you are basically right. Once firearms technology had produced the self contained cartridge and smokeless powder it only took a few years for John Browning and Paul Mauser to pretty much perfect many designs.

There still are no bolt actions which are really better than the 98 Mauser and even the old 91 and 93 Mausers were tactically as good as any.

Browning perfected the lever action in the model 1886, the automatic pistol with the 1911 and the pocket pistol with the 1899 FN .32.

Yes there have been some advances but overall they are hardly worth mentioning.

Same thing with fighter jets. The basic platform was pretty much as you say, on a plateau beginning with the 60s. There have been improvements but really how much has the basic platform improved? The real advances have been in computer and electronic technologies.