Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DISSIMILAR AIRCRAFT 1 83
A "double-superior" condition occurs when one fighter has both significantly
higher T/W and lower wing loading than its opponent. Obviously
the unlucky adversary in this situation is "double inferior."
Only the spirit of attack borne in a brave heart will bring success to any
fighter aircraft, no matter how highly developed it may be.
Lt. General Adolph Galland, Luftwaffe
Double superiority is a condition for which a fighter pilot would gladly
trade several semi-essential parts of his anatomy. A double-superior
fighter has the speed and acceleration to force an opponent to fight, and the
maneuverability to win the fight. In such a situation the superior fighter
generally should choose angles tactics, for a variety of reasons. This
method is generally quicker and easier, and it facilitates maintaining sight
and allows the opponent fewer weapons-firing opportunities and less
chance of escape. The pilot of the superior fighter can be quite aggressive in
this scenario, using his turn performance to gain advantage and relying on
his power to keep him out of trouble. Lower minimum verticalmaneuvering
speed and higher PS provide a measure of safety against the
bogey's possible energy tactics, but the angles fighter pilot can still lose
this fight if he tries hard enough. If he races around with fangs out and hair
on fire, with total disregard for energy, he may allow even an inferior
opponent to gain a substantial energy advantage and convert this to a
temporary but lethal position advantage. This usually can be avoided by
allowing the superior aircraft to do the job at its own pace, which normally
will be fast enough. Aside from overaggressiveness on the part of the pilot,
speed control is the superior fighter's greatest problem. Excess power often
results in excess speed and a tendency to overrun or overshoot the adversary.
Under the best of circumstances such overshoots prolong the fight,
which, particularly when missiles are involved, may be fatal. Judicious use
of power is the key here. In the sterile, one-versus-one engagement, the
pilot of the superior fighter normally should attempt to keep his speed the
same as or slightly below that of his opponent.
The pilot of the inferior fighter in this scenario has real problems. He
may not be able to avoid engagement, and he may not be able to escape
once he is engaged. These problems may be alleviated, however, by a very
thorough aircraft preflight inspection, followed by a decision to spend the
day in the bar. If this luxury is not available, high-speed hit-and-run tactics
or multiple-aircraft engagements may offer some relief; otherwise the
inferior fighter must be very good and very lucky.
If he is superior then I would go home, for another day that is better.
Colonel Erich "Bubi" Hartmann, GAP
With an inferior aircraft, victory in one-versus-one combat must come
through superior tactics and better technique. Because energy tactics are
so much more complex than angles tactics, they tend to magnify variations
in pilot ability. This is one reason energy tactics are recommended
for this scenario. Another factor is the increased time involved. Besides
prolonging the agony, energy techniques may allow the pilot of the inferior