Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DISSIMILAR AIRCRAFT 169
opponent to continue his hard turn and discouraging a reversal. The energy
fighter should maintain a respectful distance from its opponent during
this maneuver, within missile-firing limits, while building speed. An
overshoot and subsequent bogey reversal during this period can place
the energy fighter in a hazardous position. Once he regains verticalmaneuvering
speed, the pilot of the energy fighter has the option of continuing
a level turn in lag pursuit until his nose is pointed toward the sun,
which is normally the optimum moment for another extension. Or the
energy fighter can employ the nose-to-tail extension maneuver depicted in
Figure 3-12.
Along with the techniques already discussed, there are some other
practical points worth mentioning about becoming invisible and staying
that way during a pitch-back. For instance, the energy fighter pilot should
be aware of the contrail level. Depending on air temperature and humidity,
the water vapor in the exhaust of both jet and reciprocating engines may
condense to form a vapor trail that can turn a small invisible fighter into an
airliner, visible for a hundred miles. This is generally a high-altitude
phenomenon that can be predicted fairly accurately by meteorologists. A
more accurate determination of the contrail level can be made prior to
engaging by checking for a contrail during a climb. It should be recognized,
however, that the contrail level also is sensitive to exhaust temperature, so
this check should be made at combat power when practical. For instance,
jet contrails may appear at different altitudes depending on whether or not
the fighter is using afterburner. The contrail most often becomes a factor
approaching the top of a pitch-back in a high-altitude fight. The contrail
level may require completing the vertical maneuver as quickly as possible
rather than continuing a zoom to the highest attainable altitude.
Another consideration is known as the "burner puff." Many jet engines
will exhaust a considerable amount of unburned fuel whenever afterburner
is selected and/or deselected. This fuel may leave a puffy "cloud" or
short contrail, calling attention to the fighter's position. If this is known to
be a problem, the energy fighter pilot should select afterburner early in the
engagement and resist the temptation to change power settings if there is
any possibility that the bogey pilot has lost sight. Such changes can be
made when the energy fighter is passing close to the opponent, obviously
in plain view, or when it is positioned in the bogey's blind zone.
It's the little things that cost you victories.
Group Captain Reade Tilley, RAF
"Vortex trails" also may cause problems for the energy fighter. These
are condensation trails that are formed when air pressure is suddenly
reduced as the air passes over an aerodynamic surface. Particularly prevalent
in humid conditions, these condensation trails may stream considerable
distances behind wingtips or other high-lift areas of the aircraft,
especially when a vortex is present. Under given conditions of humidity,
vortex trails may appear at a predictable G level. If the offending load factor
is determined before the engagement, the energy fighter pilot might be able
to reduce or eliminate vortex trails by holding G below this level during