The Story of the Spitfire: An Operational and Combat History by Ken Delve

Author:Ken Delve
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / Aviation & Space
Publisher: Air World
Published: 2025-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

Spitfire versus Zeke

Tactical Memo No 42 was issued by RAF India and provided a guide to the approved tactics for use by Spitfire pilots when engaging Japanese fighters, primarily the Navy ‘O’ Mk 1 - the Zeke. It also included, as an annexe, the SWPA summary referred to above.

1The tactics which Spitfire pilots in this area have been instructed to employ against Jap fighters are set out briefly below. They have been decided upon after close study of the somewhat meagre experience of combats, and the characteristics of the types obtained from intelligence sources. Tactics naturally are not hard and fast but are subject to review from time to time in the light of additional operational experience.

2Points favouring the Spitfire are:

aMaximum level speed at all heights.

bManoeuvrability at high speeds.

cDiving speed.

Zekes on the other hand are more manoeuvrable at low speeds. Characteristics giving no appreciable advantage to either type over the other are:

aService ceiling.

bRate of climb.

Although the rate of climb is approximately the same, the Spitfire appears to climb and zoom at a slightly shallower angle and higher speed than the Zeke, thus opening the range by covering a greater plan distance.

3Factors primarily affecting ‘dogfighting’ are:

aSpeed of the aircraft engaged.

bStalling characteristics.

Where speeds are in excess of 250mph the ‘g’ which a pilot can impose without ‘blacking out’ is the limiting factor so that no advantage can be expected on either side. At speeds below 250mph however, due to the higher wing loading of the Spitfire, a high-speed stall will occur if the pilot attempts to tum with a Zeke at progressively lower speeds and smaller radii of the turning circle. The conclusion drawn is that in a sustained ‘dogfight’, irrespective of the speed at which it commenced, the advantage must pass ultimately to the Zeke.

4Tactics in these circumstances are:

aEndeavour to take station at least 1,000 to 2,000ft above and up sun of fighter(s) to be attacked.

bAttacks may be carried out from any angle from head on to dead astern, but where a no-deflection or small-deflection shot is possible it should be taken.

cBreak should be a zoom away to one side to retain height advantage, up sun if possible, care being taken not to overrun the aircraft being attacked.

dEach deliberate attack should be separate and undertaken only with the advantage of height.

eDO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMAIN AND DOGFIGHT.

fWhen being attacked or attack is imminent and complementary attack is not possible, pilot should open range by quickest possible method, i.e. diving, turning under and away from attack, etc.

gWhen hard pressed ‘everything into one comer’ i.e. violent break preferably under the attacking aircraft and into a vertical dive. Follow this by an aileron tum as speed builds up. Until speed builds up take violent evasive action as necessary, i.e. rudder and or elevator to throw attacking pilots aim off the aircraft.

hFavourite ‘break’ by Zekes when attacked from rear is a steep zoom combined with tum away to one side. Another frequently used is the full loop with the object of reversing the relative positions of attacked and attacked.

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