Its faster. In the climb, turn, acceleration, the Lightning is superior. Its more manoverable. RAF pilots are amongst the best in the world. No offence, but I dont fancy an Egyptian or Iranian Mig 21 pilots chances against an RAF Lightning.
But hey, as everyone keeps saying, we'll never know!
By the way, Coatsey, Roland Beaumont was the Lightning development-programme chief test pilot, also for the TSR2, as well as the Canberra in which he was the first man to make a double-atlantic crossing by jet, when on 26 August 1952, flying Canberra B.5 VX185, he flew from Aldergrove to Gander and then back again to Aldergove, in 10 hours 3 minutes.
He was a major player in the western air war during WWII, during 3 operational tours (being a test pilot for Hawker when he wasnt operational) he shot down 9 aircraft whilst developing the Typhoon into Squadron service, when all around him wanted it grounded. He brought the Tempest to Squadron service and shot down 3 Me109's over the D-Day beaches, 32 V1's and a Fw190 with it before being finally shot down whilst strafing a train. As you say, Gerax, quite a guy!!!