The Chandelle is another very
basic air combat maneuvering tactic that is actually
a cross between an Immelmann Turn and a High Yo-Yo.
It simulates an Immelmann but at a 45 degree angle
and does not drop back down to its start altitude
like the Hi Yo-Yo. It is primarily an evasive
maneuver and favors aircraft that turn well.
The above diagrams shows the Spitfire
defending and the ME109 attacking in a dive from
the rear. Keep in mind that the ME109 has more
energy than the spitfire, therefore it is approaching
at a much faster speed than the Spitfire. The
Spitfire levels out gaining speed in preparation
for the manever.
Just as the ME109 is about to
acquire a gun solution on the Spitfire, the Spitfire
pulls back on the control stick hard and goes
into a vertical climb at a 45 degee angle.
As the Spitfire goes into it's
climb the ME109 attempts to adjust it's lead angle
to achieve a firing solution but it cannot because
it has too much energy. The Spitfire rolls left
and continues to climb.
From a rear angle view the Spitfire
pulls back on the stick some more while rolled
at 90 degrees and starts a nice high banking turn
to the left. The ME109 which attacked at a much
faster speed cannot acquire a firing solution
and overshoots its intended target.
The Spitfire continues its gradually
upward climb to the left and completes its turn
having gained some altitude in the process. The
ME109 after passing by starts to climb and seperate.
The end result is the Sptifire
has evaded the attack for the meantime, gained
some altitude, and is now heading in the opposite
direction from which the maneuver started creating
some distance between it and it's attacker.
