Monsieur Loiseau met with the greatest
measure of success, and his system is being practised in the
present campaign. This principle is essentially adapted to
tractor aeroplanes. Forward of the pilot a special position is
reserved for the gunner. A special mounting is provided towards
the prow, and upon the upper face of the body of the machine.
The gun mounting is disposed in such a manner that it is able to
command a wide arc of fire in the vertical plane over the nose of
the machine and more particularly in the downward direction.
The marksman is provided with a special seat, but when he comes
into action he has to stand to manipulate his weapon. The lower
part of his body is protected by a front shield of steel plate, a
fifth of an inch in thickness, while a light railing extending
upon either side and behind enables the gunner to maintain his
position when the aeroplane is banking and climbing. The machine
gun, of the Hotchkiss type, is mounted upon a swivel attached to
a tripod, while the latter is built into the bracing of the car,
so as to ensure a fairly steady gun platform.
While the gun in the hands of a trained marksman may be
manipulated with destructive effect, the drawbacks to the
arrangement are obvious.
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