what would dogfights be like now if jets and missiles had not been invented

[Robotic Pope]

I just read this in a book the other day.

During 1963 Indonesia launched its claim to parts of Malayan territory, threatening to use force to secure it. The RAF sent Lightning fighters to the area. The Indonesian Air force operated WWII Mustang's and there was uncertainty on the best tactics for the Mach 2 jets to engage these. To discover the answer, the Central Fighter Establishment ran a combat trial using the Spitfire XIX as a stand in for the Mustang, which revealed that the older fighter stood little chance in a war time encounter. The Lightning was almost invulnerable while at high speed. The best tactic for the Lightning was to position itself a few thousand feet below the piston engined fighter, and make a steep climbing attack from there. This gave a good chance of getting into a missile firing position on the Spitfire (or Mustang) without being seen.

--Dr Alfred Price--