Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

SECTION TACTICS, TWC-VERSUS-ONE 197
the possibility of greater closure between leader and wingman, from 20 to
30 ft during the biplane era to 200 to 300 ft for modern jets.
Fighting wing "formation" is not really a formation at all, but an
engaged tactical doctrine. Pre-engagement formations used with fighting
wing have varied widely. These sections may cruise in "echelon," with the
wingman behind and to the side, as depicted in Figure 5-1 (right echelon
when the wingman is on the leader's right side). The wingman might also
fly directly abeam the leader in what is known as "line-abreast" or "combat-spread"
formation. The fighters could even choose to cruise in "trail,"
one directly behind the other, a formation also known as "line astern."
Separation between aircraft in these cruise formations typically has varied
from one extreme to the other, between the minimum and maximum
ranges outlined here. The wingman is usually "stepped-down" (i.e., lower
in altitude) a few feet, which makes it easier for him to stay out of the way
should the leader decide to turn sharply toward the wingman. During the
biplane days, stepping-up was common because of better wingman visibility
looking forward and down. The merits and shortcomings of each of
these pre-engaged tactical formations are discussed in a later chapter.
Suffice it to say here that echelon is probably the tactical formation most
widely used in conjunction with fighting wing, but that line abreast is
probably better, since this arrangement offers each pilot an equal view of
the other's rear hemisphere. The difficulty with line abreast is that the
wingman is initially forward of the prescribed fighting wing position and
may not be able to regain it in the event of unexpected heavy maneuvering.
Figure 5-1. Fighting Wing Formation