Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

130 ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, SIMILAR AIRCRAFT
The foregoing discussion is relevant to other weapons mixes as well. For
instance, if the gunfighter also has RQ missiles, tactics would remain
essentially unchanged, but the missiles would tend to restrict the opponent's
disengagement possibilities. Likewise, inclusion of guns and RQ
missiles in the arsenal of the all-aspect missile fighter probably would not
alter its pilot's tactics as long as his all-aspect weapon is dogfight compatible.
With a less capable all-aspect missile, however, the gun may be the
most effective weapon in this environment. Such a situation would bias
optimum tactics in favor of those described in the guns-only section.
Defensive Maneuvering
If you think "Here is a master of . . . [tactics]," then you will surely lose.
Miyamoto Musashi
All the scenarios considered to this point have assumed essentially
equal starts, both in angles and in energy, for both fighters. Obviously this
will not always be the case. When starting with an advantage on the
opponent, the course of action is fairly simple: The advantage should be
pressed, using either angles or energy tactics as appropriate, until the fight
is won, the advantage is lost, or a disengagement is called for, possibly for
fuel considerations. When one pilot recognizes he has an advantage and
then he loses that advantage, he is losing the fight even though he and his
opponent may still be neutral. This is the best time for him to realize that
he is overmatched and immediately execute a "bugout" (escape). Once a
trend is established in one-versus-one ACM, it is seldom reversed without
a serious mistake on the part of the winning pilot. It is not healthy to bet all
your marbles on an opponent's future mistakes. It is much wiser to admit
that this guy may be the Red Baron, disengage while the opportunity still
exists, and return another day, when he can be surprised and shot in the
back. The days of white horses and chivalry went out with King Arthur.
My system was to always attack the [enemy] at his disadvantage if possible,
and if I were attacked at my disadvantage I usually broke off the combat, for
in my opinion the [Germans] in the air must be beaten at [their] own game,
which is cunning. I think that the correct way to wage war is to down as many
as possible of the enemy at the least risk, expense and casualties to one's own
side. ... I hate to shoot a [victim] down without him seeing me, for although
this method is in accordance with my doctrine, it is against what little
sporting instincts I have left. ... At the same time, when one is taken at his
advantage and one has to fight, one always has ... to fight him like anything,
for, as far as fighting the [Germans] in the air is concerned, nothing succeeds
like boldness, and the [enemy] is usually taken aback when boldness is
displayed. 2
Major James T. B. McCudden, RAF
57 Victories, WW-I
Although no true fighter pilot will admit it, it is also possible to start a
fight at a disadvantage, or to find yourself in such a predicament during an
engagement. This is the situation that "separates the men from the boys,"
and it calls for the greatest possible skill and cunning.