Author Topic: Need a book on fighter tactics (Read 353 times)

SunTracker · « **on:** May 28, 2005, 07:20:51 AM »

I need a book on fighter tactics that show different air combat maneuvers (like the rolling scissors, etc). I've heard Robert Shaws book is pretty good but it is geared towards modern jets.

I'm reading a book right now about the formation of the Navy Top Gun school and I already picked up two new tips:

(1) When performing rolling scissors, keep the enemy plane in one spot on your canopy. If you can keep him there, he wont be able to get behind you.

(2) Using a modified hammer-head, a poorer turning but faster plane can cut across a turning circle and get angles on a better turning aircraft.

SlapShot · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2005, 07:47:25 AM »

Yes he used jets, but the principles are the same. An excellent read all-around. Get it ... you won't be disappointed.

CavemanJ · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2005, 08:07:41 AM »

Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering, Robert Shaw.

It can all be applied to AH except for the missle enviroment stuff. Reading it greatly improved my understanding of energy vs angles fighting.

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2005, 08:22:40 PM »

You might want to see if you can get yourself a copy of the Holy Grail of fighter tactics, "Aerial Attack Study", by Col. John Boyd. His manual became standard doctrine for US and NATO air forces. Also, get a copy of his "Energy Maneuverability Theory", a theory he came up with after he wrote "Aerial Attack Study" and his E-M Theory is still used today by the USAAF and NATO air forces.

You'll probably be able to find his E-M Theory lectures easily on the Internet but his Aerial Attack Study is a little bit more difficult. Even through the Freedom of Information Act I was unable to obtain a copy since his Aerial Attack Study manual is still in use. If you have any friends or relatives in the US military or DoD or in any of the NATO forces, they can check you out a copy from Maxwell AFB library.

ack-ack

Clip121 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2005, 04:50:27 AM »

While I haven't read it myself, a friend tells me that Peter Bonnani's "The Art of the Kill" is also good. I have read Robert Shaw's book - it is extremely helpful.

Clip

G0ALY · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2005, 05:45:31 AM »

A good (but maybe hard to find) book that starts with the basics is, “EVERY MAN A TIGER: MOCK-COMBAT FLYING TECHNIQUES FOR LIGHT AIRCRAFT”

Authored by Frank J. O’Brien with Timothy R.V. Foster.
Published by Ziff-Davis.

SunTracker · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2005, 07:25:31 AM »

I've read Peter Bonnani's "The Art of the Kill" when I was young. It was geared especially towards Mig 29 vs F-16 combat.