Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

116 ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, SIMILAR AIRCRAFT
bogey and threaten it as quickly as possible. If he is unable to point at the
target and force it back down, the attacker should pull for a position behind
and below the bogey, as shown at time "5." The angles fighter should
climb as close to the bogey's altitude as possible at time "5," while
retaining enough speed for maneuvering. The desired position at time "6"
is slightly behind and beneath the bogey, with minimum nose-tail separation
and the angles fighter's fuselage aligned as closely as possible with the
bogey's.
At time "6" both fighters will be near minimum-controllable airspeed.
The angles fighter's position forces the pilot of the high fighter into a
steeply banked turn, or a series of turn reversals similar to a flat scissors, in
order to maintain sight of his opponent behind and below. The angles
tactician should maneuver as necessary to remain out of sight on the
bogey's belly-side. Concern over his opponent's position should eventually
cause the bogey pilot to pull his aircraft's nose sharply down in order to
increase his turn performance. Figure 3-8 depicts the end-game.
After the bogey pilot has committed his nose steeply down, the angles
fighter should continue a level turn until the bogey approaches co-altitude.
At that point the pilot of the angles fighter can roll inverted and pull his
nose sharply down toward vertical (time "7"). After overshooting the
altitude of the angles fighter, the bogey pilot will usually begin a pull-out
to increase AOT and maintain sight. If his turns are properly timed, the
angles fighter pilot may be able to pull his nose to the target and fire (time
Figure 3-8. Angles Fight (RQ Missiles): End-Game