From: masten@beta.lanl.gov (David A. Masten)
Subject: Recommended Reading for Flight Sim Junkies
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 00:28:11 GMT

Books for those who wonder what a "high yo-yo", and "vertical scissors"
are.  That is, what the hell are all these shit-hot-computer-flight-jocks
(tm) talking about?
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First, what is considered The Book (though an ex-F18 pilot told me he
hadn't heard of it):

"Fighter Combat, Tactics and Maneuvering"
Robert L. Shaw
Naval Institute Press, 1985
428 pages, $32.95

Shaw is a Commander in the Naval Reserve, and an F4, F14 pilot and
consultant.  This book is very technical, fairly dry, but is amazingly in
depth.  Has a fair number of drawings to help you along, but expect some
slogging through.  But if you want to know everything, this is the one
you want.
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"Modern Air Combat"
Bill Gunston, Mike Spick
Crescent Books (originally Salamander Books), 1983
224 pages, about $17

This is an incredible buy!  Why?
(1) Has the usual Gunston pretty photos, diagrams, and drawings of
fighter/attack planes.  Unfortunately it is too old to include the Su27
and Mig29 and Rafale.
(2) Although it only covers 46 planes, this allows more in depth (and
understandable) coverage than Jane's.
(3) Most importantly, a terrific 100+ pages of technical information, and
opinions on subjects like design, aerodynamics, electronics, weapons, and
of course, maneuvers.
The discussion of ACM and maneuvers is nowhere near as in depth as Shaw,
but gives you the basics and then some, with nice drawings and many great
photos.  Get this book!  I'd love an updated version.
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Most flight sims come with fine manuals, with varying levels of coverage
of basic maneuvers.  I think Chuck Yeager's Air Combat covers the
greatest number with nice drawings.  Aces of the Pacific's is decent,
with about a dozen maneuvers discussed.  Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe
concentrates more on tactics than actual maneuvers, with more info on
intercept of bombers.  Falcon 3.0 doesn't cover the basic maneuvers, they
basically recommend use the F16's superior capability to out-turn the
bogie.  It does include worthwhile info on geometry of approach, wingman
interaction, and weapons envelopes.  I don't think the companion "Falcon
3.0 Air Combat" guide adds enough to merit spending $19.95.  Birds of
Prey doesn't cover maneuvers at all.  OK, since you don't need them in
the game!  Can't comment on the other games I don't have.
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Last, a book that doesn't discuss maneuvers, but is a fairly up-to-date,
nice picture/photo/information book on fighters:

The World's Great Interceptor Aircraft
Gallery Books, 1989
248 pages, about $17

Covers 20 modern aircraft in depth, with photos, cutaway drawings,
foldouts, and more text-like discussion of the histories of the aircraft.
Similar info on the specific aircraft as Modern Air Combat, but includes
the Mig29, and info on more recent variants of most planes.  I give this
one a mild recommendation.
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I think you'll have to special order all these books through your local
bookseller.


Dave Masten
masten@beta.lanl.gov