We're already up to the 1980s in our decade a day review of the best fighter aircraft of the twentieth century, so put on your pastel sport coat and dockers and make your pick for the best fighter aircraft of the years 1980 to 1989.
You likely know the drill by now- This isn't scientific- just opinion up for discussion. You pick the criteria and stake your claim. The only rule is that the aircraft must be operational in the years listed. Doesn't matter where the aircraft came from, or when it was introduced as long as it was operational during this decade.
If you want to chime in on previous decades, here are the links-
1970s TMP link
1960s TMP link
1950s TMP link
1940s TMP link
1930s TMP link
1920s TMP link
1910s TMP link
My pick might be suprising. I picked the F15 for the 1970s, and honestly it dominated the 80s and 90s as well, making it a strong pick. However, my pick is the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter. The Soviet response to the F-15, these two aircraft never fought directly so we don't know how they would have matched up, but the SU-27 became the premiere Soviet and later Russian fighter. There are a number of direct variants- the Su-30, 33, 35 and 37. Additionally the Su-34 is based on the airframe and even the SU-57 Felon has its roots in the Su-27. The Su-27 was a forward looking fighter design that has been updated over the years with powerful radar, ever more powerful missiles combined with an agile long range airframe.
Of course the F-15 and F-16 only became more capable in this decade, and are noted top fighters of the decade. The only other nod I can really give for this year is the F/A-18 Hornet, which became the Navy fighter that would eventually replace the A-6, F-4, F-14 (as the Super Hornet) and A-7 for both fighter and bomber roles. The first model is the model still flown by the Canadians to this day.
This was a decade of lots of research and development, as the EF-2000 (Typhoon), Rafale, and Gripen were all in development, but none would become operational in this decade (and two wouldn't became operational until the 2000s). This is truly a period where development slowed down as nations reacted to the Soviet and American designs.
The only other nod I can give is to the Republic of China, which deployed the AIDC F-CK-1 fighter bomber. The jury is out on how effective this aircraft truly is as only Taiwan fields it, and it has never seen combat. It looks to me like a blend of F16 and F18 design elements.
explains step-by-step how he painted 
