In many instances the
pilot and observer have expressed their preference for repeating
high velocity rifles over any form of fixed gun mounting, and
have recourse to the latter only when the conditions are
extremely favourable to its effective employment.
Efforts are now being made to equip the military type of
aeroplane with both forward and astern firing guns. The urgency
of astern fire has been brought home very vividly. Suppose, for
instance, two hostile aeroplanes, A and B, are in the air. A has
the advantage at first, but B is speedier and rapidly overhauls
A. During the whole period of the overhauling movement the
gun of B can be directed upon A, while the latter, owing to the
arc of training being limited to c d cannot reply. Obviously in
the running fight it would be to the advantage of B, although the
fleeter machine, to keep behind A (position 1), but the latter is
making towards its own lines.
Under these circumstances A must be headed off, so B crowds on
speed to consummate this end. But in the overtaking process B
renders his gun-fire ineffective, inasmuch as B passes beyond the
arc of his gun which is represented by e f.
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