No doubt the Americans possessed superior equipment to that of the Chinese. But this fact was in no way considered an advantage, quite the contrary sometimes. An example of this is the APG-30 sight. This device, expensive and sophisticated, seemed infinitely superior to the optical sights of the MiG. Yet to a large extent, American pilots viewed this technical superiority as a liability. War was a tough business; the pilots wanted simple and strong planes. For them, the most advanced equipment and various refinements were only the whims of engineers weighing down their zincs, lowering performance and complicating maintenance:ultimately, more disadvantages than advantages.