Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

382 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS
be best for smaller fighters, since a relatively large apparent-size reduction
is necessary to make a substantial difference in likely visual range. Three
shades may be better for larger fighters, as even a small percentage reduction
in the apparent size of these aircraft can decrease visual range a great
amount in real terms.
The camouflage pattern should appear to be random, much like shadows
cutting across various parts of the aircraft, to break up the recognizable
shape of the fighter. Whether straight lines or curves are used does not
seem to make a great deal of difference.
Aside from making the aircraft harder to see, there is another important
purpose of camouflage for a fighter, namely, disguising its attitude and
maneuver. For this reason there should be no significant variation in the
camouflage patterns or colors on the top and bottom of the aircraft. On
fairly large fighters, even painting a mock canopy on the belly and simulated
weapons rails on the top of the wings (to simulate whatever would be
carried in a combat situation) can be extremely effective. Such camouflage
patterns make it difficult to determine whether the fighter is turning
toward or away from the enemy at medium ranges. The direction of this
turn may be critical to the enemy's maneuver selection and also to his
weapons envelope (is this a forward- or rear-hemisphere shot?). A good
paint job can cause the enemy a few valuable seconds of confusion until
relative motion clears up the ambiguity, and any delay or confusion in
combat can be crucial.
The fighter pilot should be aware of his paint scheme and try to make
best use of it during an intercept. Tactical advantage, however, must not be
sacrificed for environmental considerations, as the enemy may detect the
attack anyway and place the fighter at a severe disadvantage. The importance
of avoiding light-colored clouds that could silhouette the fighter
has been discussed before. An aircraft of essentially any color when viewed
against a cloud background will stand out like a bug on a sheet.
Approaching from out of the sun is also a well-known tactic from the
earliest days, since a bright, high sun tends to restrict the enemy's vision.
Other factors to consider are the shades (lightness or darkness) of the
surface and sky backgrounds. Generally the pilot should look for a background
that matches the average shade of his aircraft most closely. When
in doubt, the darker background is usually better because of the darkening
effects of shadows on the aircraft. Particularly when approaching from
high or on the sun side, the fighter is more likely to appear much darker
than when it is low or down-sun, where its presented surfaces are more
likely to be fully illuminated and its real colors more prominent. It should
also be recognized that the shade of the sky usually darkens looking
upward from the horizon. Approaching a target at co-altitude is usually not
a good plan, since pilots tend to spend most of their time looking level. In
addition, the lighter background near the horizon often provides better
conditions for visual detection, much like clouds. The pilot should be
especially cautious about approaching out of a low sun that lacks brilliance.
The combination of a light pastel background and the dark shadows
on the back-lit fighter, with no visual degradation as with a bright sun, can