re: #91 Targetpractice

The 50s and 60s was mostly because raw speed and climb, running on the idea that fighters would be primarily used as interceptors to knock out high-flying intercontinental bombers. Then the 70s saw more emphasis on maneuverability as the art of dogfighting came back in vogue. And the 80s distilled all that, plus started adding stealth in order to regain the edge lost to increasingly faster and smarter enemy fighters.

Of course the F-86 Sabers were rather nimble.