Cheers,
Another input..........
If you had flown Sabres, especially the early models, you would roll
on the floor listening to those who 'calculate' why it's not possible to
reach higher cruise speeds by diving (using climb power past cruise speed is
equivalent).
High alt patrols were done at full throttle (well, 'forward power lever').
In most cases, the patrol was conducted by a flight of four (the number 2's
and 4's outboard) - lead is 1. element lead is 3.
Depending on assigned (or hoped-for) flight level, one could climb
until there was no more speed to be had. Often we would be higher than we
could cruise, but the boss dove slowwwlllyyy down a thousand feet and lo!
the speed was up a measurable Mach and stayed there. The reason was the
simple axial flow engines produced more fuelflow if they gulped more air ...
which was reached and kept by increasing speed by descending. It was the
jet-age equivalent of the piston 'step' the Clippers used. By the way, "on
the step" was not coined by Ivan Shaw - maybe his grandfather. But I
digress.
These "battle formations" were flown usually at about 100 yards '
separation, which forced 2's and 4's into differing flight paths to leaders.
When the lead decided to turn, he made it an intentional move by rocking
then holding the new bank (radio silence). This triggered no.3 to manoeuvre
below to accept the new side (presuming approx 90deg turn). 2's and 4's were
expected to assume the new extremes and since they went to outside in turns,
were forced to dive to keep station thorughout. At max power, there was no
slack.
That's when diving to maintain Mach became so obvious. It could not
be ingored. In many cases, laggards would be forced down 5,000 feet to keep
station, but would slowly resume altitude when straight. There was NO other
way to regain the position. Nevertheless one could see the fuelflow increase
and stay up - there was no other explanation other than increased airflow.
Happy was the leader who found the Contrail Layer, and flew just
below it - for he would be rewarded with an 'early warning' sign on
descending attackers. Flying near Coffin Corner (where stall speed and
Critical Mach met) was another consideration.........
I'll shut up now.
Ferg A064
|