[dragonwriter]

The Soviet Union manufactured that image for deterrence/intimidation/diverting-of-US-energy purposes.

The US military-industrial complex amplified it for pocket-lining purposes.

[ballard]

Separating movie portrayals and actual mindset...

Wouldn't the MIC over-emphasize Russian reliability whereas the rank-and-file tend to underestimate it?

Further, wouldn't RU do more or less the same, substituting design bureaus?