Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

DIVISION TACTICS 271
Figure 7-4. Line-Abreast or Wall Formation
how this concept is applied to a division of four fighters in finger four. A
line-abreast division would turn almost identically.
In this case the division leader (sometimes called the flight leader)
wants to turn the flight 90° to the right, toward the second section (element)
of two fighters. He does this by simply turning right at time "l."The
division leader's wingman, on the left in this case, immediately turns hard
right to pass behind the leader. The wingman's turn needs to be a little
tighter than that of the leader, and the wingman may have to dive slightly
in his turn, crossing below and behind the leader, in order to maintain
speed and regain the proper position quickly at time "2." Meanwhile the
element leader generally pulls up to cross over the flight leader, and he will
be almost directly overhead at time "2," having turned considerably less.
After passing over the flight leader, the element leader tightens his turn
and drops back down to regain his speed and position at time "3." The
element leader's wingman pulls up with his leader between times "I" and
"2," crosses above the flight leader, then begins a very gradual turn,
generally crossing over his element leader between times "2" and "3" to
assume his proper position on the opposite side of the formation at time
Figure 7-5. Division Tac Turn