not to get into a turning chase as much as possible as
identify and counter it is important too. One of the easiest
this bleeds away the kinetic energy you’ve built up at
is usually to duck under it using the Split-S maneuver
the end of your dive, and your primary purpose is to
(see below) as it approaches, or begin a turn under the
make sure energy is conserved as much as possible.
path the attacker came from so that it needs to correct
its path. A diving plane at very high speeds usually will
You are also at your most vulnerable state during your
suffer from stiffened controls due to compressibility,
‘Zoom’ phase (from other fighters, or your target turning
making them less maneuverable and cannot correct their
around and taking pot shots at you) because you are
path in time for a guns solution on you, especially when
slowing down, so only do a ‘zoom climb’ if there is no
they are responding to your actions, which introduces a
immediate danger. If there is danger, continue in your
bit of lag time as well. It also whittles away their energy
high state of kinetic energy and extend the distance
reserves more than yours as they will lose a lot of energy
from other enemy planes before climbing back up.
at higher speeds to drag, so after dodging a few BnZ
attempts, the enemy attacker will have less energy to do
so and you are better able to plot your counterattack.
VERTICAL MANEUVERS
Lastly, to end off this introduction to energy maneuvers,
we will introduce two energy-efficient vertical maneuvers
that can be used to change direction, whether in
COUNTERING THE BOOM AND ZOOM
BnZ is a common tactic in air battles, so knowing how to
War Thunder Community Magazine
“YOU ARE ALSO
AT YOUR MOST
VULNERABLE STATE
DURING YOUR ‘ZOOM’
PHASE ... BECAUSE YOU
ARE SLOWING DOWN,
SO ONLY DO A ‘ZOOM
CLIMB’ IF THERE IS NO
IMMEDIATE DANGER. ”
The GameOn Magazine // 35