Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS 89
proportion to his descent rate, but he is also increasing his turn rate. In
order to maintain energy in such a maneuver he must reduce G and
constantly accelerate, which would result in approximately the same turn
rate in this oblique maneuver plane that he could achieve in a level,
constant-speed turn at his altitude. However, if speed is allowed to increase
to a value higher than that best for sustained maneuvering, allowable
G for maintaining energy will decrease further. Likewise, even unloaded
dives at speeds higher than maximum level airspeed may reduce
total energy, even if the aircraft continues to accelerate.
Rolling Scissors
While a flat scissors often follows a slow-speed, horizontal overshoot, the
rolling scissors more often results from a high-speed overshoot or an
overshoot resulting from a high-to-low attack. In this situation, the defender
pulls up to reduce both speed and the forward component of his
velocity, further adding to the attacker's overshoot problems; then he rolls
toward his opponent, continuing to pull the nose directly toward the
attacker's constantly changing position. If the attacker continues to pull
directly toward the defender, the fighters begin to develop twin spiraling
flight paths as each performs barrel rolls around the other. Figure 2-20
depicts this scenario.
Here the attacking fighter (MiG-21) overshoots the defender (F-5E) with
high TCA in a nose-down attitude at time "2." Recognizing the impending
overshoot, the defender rolls 90° away from the direction of the initial
attack (quarter rolls away) and begins to pull up into the vertical. As the
overshoot occurs the defender rolls to keep his lift vector pointed toward
Figure 2-20. Rolling Scissors