Under these circumstances it is relatively easy for
the airship to outmanoeuvre the aeroplane in the vertical plane,
and to hold the dominating position.
But even should the aeroplane obtain the upper position it is not
regarded with fear. Some of the latest Zeppelins have a machine
gun mounted upon the upper surface of the envelope, which can
be trained through 360 degrees and elevated to about 80 degrees
vertical. Owing to the steady gun platform offered it holds
command in gun-fire, so that the aeroplane, unless the aviator is
exceptionally daring, will not venture within the range of
the dirigible. It is stated, however, that this upper gun has
proved unsatisfactory, owing to the stresses and strains imposed
upon the framework of the envelope of the Zeppelin during firing,
and it has apparently been abandoned. The position, however, is
still available for a sniper or sharpshooter.
The position in the sky between two such combatants is closely
analogous to that of a torpedo boat and a Dreadnought. The
latter, so long as it can keep the former at arm's, or rather
gun's, distance is perfectly safe.
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