This generates “angle-off” as quickly as possible which makes the defender a difficult target. The break is always made towars the direction of attack. Its purpose is twofold: to spoil the attacker’s aim and to force him to overshoot. This is used when an attacker is first seen or is already in the cone of vulnerability. This maneuver makes repositioning for a further attack, or to meet a threat, much easier than would be the case using horizontal maneuver only. Using the vertical plane enables the fighter to turn square corners in relation to its position above the ground. Horizontal turns at normal fighting speeds take up a lot of room laterally. Its main value lies in using the vertical plane to change the direction of flight in the smallest possible horizontal space. The modern version of the Immelmann is a vertical climb or half loop, possibly aileron-turning during the climb, then rolling out into level flight at the top. There are few set maneuvers for the pair just a few general tricks to meet certain situations, as follows.īack in 1916 the original Immelmann turn was more akin to the vertical reverse than its present-day counterpart. The wide spacing is dictated by two factors: the long reach of contemporary weaponry, and the large amounts of sky needed for maneuver at high subsonic or transonic speeds. They guard each other’s visual blind spots and, as illustrated in the Attack Section, hunt as a co-ordinated unit. Its main value lies in enabling the fighter to reposition at any angle with almost no lateral displacement.Ī pair working as a team is much more effective than two fighters working individually. Not to be confused with it’s WWI namesake, The Immelmann is essentially a maneuver for repositioning. When the fight individual dispersed in a lot of battles, make sure that not all comrades rush one opponent. For squadrons: Attack to principle only in groups of 4 to 6.When you find yourself over the enemy lines, always keep an eye on your own withdraw.When the enemy engages you in a dive, not trying to dodge the attack, rather turn to the enemy.In any form of attack is moving closer to enemy from behind required.Fire the machine gun at close range and only if you have the enemy safely targeting.If you started the attack, also bring it to an end.Make sure you get the advantages of Air Combat (speed, altitude, numerical superiority, position), before you attack.He summarized the most important rules in the “Dicta Boelcke” :

In WWI on German side it was the pilot Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke, their experience and their approach to a general Air Combat Tactics formulated, which was then taught systematically.īoelcke carefully observed his pilots, their behavior in dogfight just to improve their performance further. World of Warplanes Air Combat Tactics and Maneuvers Guide by BLC01

Wwii air combat maneuvers pdf