Tominator: Yes, there are other reasons why US military aviation is superior to the Russians, but the fact remains that their aircraft designers have been consistently among the best in the world. To some, arguably they are the best in the world. What US fighter can do a hammerhead stall?
As for Mir, it served WELL beyond its intended life and has provided the essential data to even attempt to build the ISS. Also, without Russia's heavy lift rockets, there wouldn't BE an ISS. The shuttle is a cute toy, and an amazingly expensive one, but Russia's rockets are cheaper, faster, and more reliable. FACT. Perhaps the Soviets did lose 35 cosmonauts -- how many US test pilots and astronauts have died? Four in the Apollo fire (or three? can't recall) plus eight in the Challenger accident plus however many test pilots testing various aircraft. There's death on both sides.
Regardless, the points I made go against the assertion that the Russians are a bunch of morons -- far from it. They kept the US dancing for close to fifty years during the Cold War and bloodied our noses badly in Korea and Vietnam by helping other regimes do the damage (and outright attacks by fighter pilots).
Your estimation of Patty is perfect.
Windogg: Thanks for the info on titanium. I remember reading an article many years ago about the Russians' ability to work with the metal to a greater degree than Western metallurgists, but I didn't know the specifics beyond that.