Zajcevi posted:

When I have read Clashes some time ago, I found interesting part about
Feather Duster tests.

Couple years ago I tried to find whatever declassified documents I
could at Maxwell AFB (for Ed...maintaining my card catalog and photo
copying currency).

The only thing I brought home was five pages I photo-copied from a
March 1966 Fighter Weapons Newsletter (published by the Fighter
Weapons School at Nellis AFB). I'm looking at it right now...

Sadly I wasnt long and focused mostly on
tactics. About a/c involved was writen only that old F-86H have
simulated MiG-17 in Feather Duster 1 (in FD 2 were bigger formations
used) and among the others F-105 and F-4 were tested in combats.

The final report (at the time) was classified SECRET NOFORN, if
sombody wants to do the FOIA request, the report was titled "TAC
Mission FF-857, Air Combat Tactics Evaluation F-100, F-104, F-105 and
F-4C versus MiG-15/17 type aircraft (F-86H)." It was published May
1965 by the USAF Fighter Weapons School.

An interesting paragraph in the FWN article says..."In testing and
analyzing air combat tactics against aircraft of unlike performance,
the Featherduster [ed--one word] tests, like most of our recent air
combat tactics analyses and future aircraft development evaluations,
have capitalized on the energy maneuverability theory deveoped by
Major John Boyd and Mr Tom Christie and Staff, of Systems Command APGC
PGTOS, Eglin AFB, Florida."

What smacks me in the forehead is simply remembering this article was
from March 1966, then you read Michel's "Clashes" and ask, "why in the
world didn't the FWS get behind this issue?" or informally, "what the
**** were they thinking they accomplished by ignoring ACM/ACT?"

Thank goodness the USN had the Ault Report...and made they changes
required. BTW Ivan I highly encorage you to get a copy of Robert
Wilcox' superb "Scream of Eagles."

But I digress...

Were also other USAF fighters participating on this program?

From the FWN article...about Featherduster 1 Part 1..."The Mission
FF-857 was accomplished during the period 26 April-7 May 1965 .

1. F-100, F-104, F-105 and F-4C were alternated in "attacker" and
defender" positions.

2. F-86H were similarly alternated in "attacker" and "defender"
positions.

[paraphrasing now]

Mostly 1-v-1 with a limited number of 2-v-2 engagements, to check the
defensive-split capability of a defending unit.

Profiles were either defender at 35,000' and defender at typical
combat patrol speed (adjusted back to .9 mach so the F-86H could make
an attack), or defender at 20,000 feet and typical ordnance loaded
airspeed for the type fighter involved (360 knots for the F-105).

A total of 128 sorties were flown, lasting approx 45 minutes each,
including two to four engagements, all jets were "clean" (no tanks or
suspension equipment) so about 180 engagements total.

Featherduster 1 Part 2 was conducted 28 Jun-2 Jul 1965 and it involved
two F-5A from the 4441 CCTS at Williams AFB and the prototype F-5N
(with uprated J-85-15 motors, 4300# thrust each eng) versus ANG
F-86Hs, the profiles were the same as Part 1. A total of 62 sorties
were flown, the F-5 fought 35 engagements as the defender and 47 as
the attacker. F-5 agility was impressive says the FWN article.

Featherduster 2 Part 1 looked at the low altitude environment, AIM-7B
and AIM-9B considerations, what to do if caught at slow speed on the
deck...

This phase was conducted 16 Aug-22 Sep 1965 using the same four TAC
fighters flying 1-v-X, 2-v-X, and 4-v-X versus the F-86H.

The F-5 flew 1-v-X only due to availability of jets.

Two A-1Es flew as defenders only (the obvious implication is SAR force
defensive maneuvering).

Total sorties were 298 with over 200 engagements. Typical setups had
the "defenders" at 5,000', 1,000', and 500' AGL flying airspeeds
ranging from 360 to 420 KCAS.

Was it sole USAF test or also USN fighters were involved?

USAF and ANG it would appear.

And was also simulated by some types (possibly F-106 like on Top Gun)?

Not according to this article.

Juvat