Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

156 ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DISSIMILAR AIRCRAFT
sustained-G levels. As the energy fighter comes over the top at time "4,"
the bogey pilot begins a slightly climbing left turn to reengage. The energy
fighter pilot continues to pull his nose down near pure vertical (time "5"},
then rolls completely around to reacquire the bogey visually and to point
the lift vector ahead of the bogey's current position (i.e., performs a lead
roll). Once pointed downward, the energy fighter is unloaded and accelerating
while performing the lead roll. The pilot continues this acceleration
until approaching vertical-maneuvering speed, adjusting roll angle
as necessary so that a wings-level pull-out will result in a close pass with
the bogey at the next meeting. At time "6" the energy fighter pilot has
begun his sustained-G wings-level pull-out. This pull-out should not be
delayed any longer than necessary to achieve vertical-maneuvering speed
at the bottom, since any delay can give the bogey vertical separation for a
lead turn at the pass. The energy fighter pilot should resist any temptation
to perform a rolling pull-out, as this wastes energy.
Approaching the pass at time "6," the bogey pilot decides to pull sharply
up for vertical separation and a barrel-roll attack. If the energy fighter's
pull-out has been executed properly the bogey pilot will have to do a lot of
hard, energy-bleeding maneuvering to gain any substantial position advantage
at the pass. In such a case the bogey is unlikely to have any vertical
potential remaining. The opponent is merely attempting to intimidate the
energy fighter pilot, hoping to bluff him into some energy-bleeding defensive
maneuvering.
In response, the pilot of the energy fighter should be aware that his best
defense is an altitude sanctuary. Defensive maneuvering should be limited
to perhaps one quick out-of-plane jink, appropriately timed, followed by
another pull-up (time "7"). Depending on the dynamics of the situation,
this second pull-up may not have to be continued to the pure vertical. Once
the energy fighter pilot determines that sufficient altitude separation will
be generated by the climb and (possibly) the bogey's dive, he should
terminate the pull-up immediately with a quick roll and a pull-down for a
gun attack.
In the case of Figure 4-6, the energy fighter pilot was unable to avoid
pulling out below his opponent at the second pass if vertical-maneuvering
speed was to be reached. When possible, however, it is more advantageous
to remain above the bogey's altitude throughout, so that the opponent is
forced to make his attack nose-high, fighting gravity and losing more
airspeed. Bottoming-out below the bogey allows it to attain a greater
angular advantage at the pass and makes the enemy's bluff more believable.
Except for very gross altitude overshoots by the energy fighter,
however, the bogey's attack still can be adequately defeated by a quick
out-of-plane jink.
Defense against [Japanese] fighters is resolved around the superior speed of
our fighters. . . . Offensive measures go according to the number of the
enemy, but they are always hit-and-run because the [Zeros] can outmaneuver
us about two to one.
Major Richard I. "Dick" Bong, USAAF
Leading U.S. Ace, WW-II
40 Victories