How to enter a circle

[MoppleTheWhale42]

Hi,

in the remarkable document "Hog Basics: RAF Bentwaters Tactics Guide, 1982", there is a description how two A-10s can enter a circle, where they turn opposite to each other around a common point.

The author states: "Entering the circle is relatively easy. Lead calls “circle” and turns hard into the wingman for about 135 degrees. The wingman waits until the lead’s nose passes him and then begins an easy turn into lead. Once the wingie starts his turn, the lead reverses back into the wingie, and the circle is formed."

Honestly, I do not understand how this should work. Does anyone understand the concept, or, better, has practical experience? If yes, could you please post a drawing or a tacview recording?

Thank you and kind regards
Mopple

[ColinM9991]

The wording is quite poor, but there is a diagram one page down that depicts the intent.

 

You're not turning "into" the wingman, you're flying in a radius around them. Once you reach a certain point then the wingman initiates a turn, hence the circle begins where you're both on opposing sides of each other.

Screenshot taken from the next page. Wingman initiates the turn as soon as Lead's nose passes the parallel point.

Edited February 11, 2023 by ColinM9991

[ASAP]

3 hours ago, MoppleTheWhale42 said:

Entering the circle is relatively easy. Lead calls “circle” and turns hard into the wingman for about 135 degrees. The wingman waits until the lead’s nose passes him and then begins an easy turn into lead. Once the wingie starts his turn, the lead reverses back into the wingie, and the circle is formed."

Sorry, I'm not the best artist in the world. Flight lead is blue, wingman is red (normally reserved for the bad guy I guess, but my kids stole my markers, so this is what I got). Based on what was written above, here is how I interpret that and would draw it out.

I'm making assumption that this is done from flying in a line abreast formation. 

1) They are flying straight ahead in line abreast when the lead calls "circle".

2) Lead starts an aggressive turn into WM turning inside the formation, WM drives straight ahead and watches FL at this point (lines and angles are not exactly to scale looking at it now FL's line 2 should have overturned another 45 degrees or so).

3) once FL's nose passes through the WM, the WM starts a much gentler turn toward the FL. When WM starts his turn, the FL reverses his own turn back  toward his wingman (FL would delay reversing his turn and/or play out how hard he is turning to set the spacing between the two in the circle.)

4) Now FL and WM have started their circle, they flow out to the correct spacing.

5) Circle is established, now they can get a rotating 360 degree lookout so a mig can't sneak up on one without being threatened by the other. (right image)

[Mogster]

It’s essentially a Lufbery defensive circle is it not? Almost as old as combat aviation.