Jet Fighter School

Air Combat Simulator Tactics and Maneuvers
by Richard G. Sheffield

CHAPTER 11
Two Versus One

Sometimes you'll face two opponents, not just one. Learn how to handle them both and survive.

Occasionally, two enemy aircraft will appear on your radar. Both may even fire missiles at you. What you do at this point depends on a number of factors:

• Your altitude
• Your energy level
• Your mission—are you closing on a bombing target?
• Weapons available—don't attack two planes when you have only one missile left
• Number of bombs carried—speed and maneuverability both suffer with heavy bomb loads
• Fuel left and distance to base

Two against one is a serious situation and you must weigh all these factors before choosing your course of action. Depending upon your situation, you'll take a totally defensive, cautiously aggressive, or totally aggressive stance.

Totally Defensive

When entering into an attack on two opponents, you're violating Oswald Boeleke's first rule of air combat—always attack with an advantage. Reconsider if you have several other factors against you, such as low fuel or control problems due to previous missile hits. If you decide to make a run for it, here's what you should do:

• Drop all bombs.
• Fire a missile at one of the targets, even if you're out of range. You may get lucky.
• If you have the necessary altitude, perform a Split-S and begin an unloaded acceleration toward base (use afterburners if you have enough fuel).
• If you're at low altitude and have plenty of fuel, use your afterburners to escape either at low altitude or go straight up and hope they can't follow you.

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