The "I love military hardware" thread.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Pioneer Attempts at Aerial Armament

Civilian enthusiasts in the United States were aware of the fact that without Government backing they could never progress beyond the novelty stage of flying. They continuously planned events calculated to impress or at least interest the military high command. This was often done with the aid of aeronautically minded Army personnel who willingly donated their services whenever possible to further the cause.
One of the most colorful of these demonstrations, which was to have a far reaching effect, was carried out before a crowd at Sheepshead Bay race track on Long Island, N. Y. in August 1910. A pusher plane piloted by Glenn Curtiss, an aviation pioneer second only to the Wrights, also carried 27-year-old Second Lt. Jacob E. Fickel, who had won a reputation as an expert marksman in his 3 years of military service since enlisting as a private.

All afternoon the tense crowd had been watching the antics of the flimsily constructed flying machines. The spectators had been promised an act that had never before been attempted, and they waited patiently as the young soldier climbed aboard carrying with him a regulation caliber .30 Springfield infantry rifle.

Lieutenant Fickel's intention was to fire the first shot from an airplane in flight at a target on the ground. Because of his proved marksmanship he was chosen to perform in the opening act of a drama the final outcome of which no one can even imagine.

[AshtonBlack]

Sounds interesting G, how about a linky to the full story?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Sounds interesting G, how about a linky to the full story?

I'm processing the book for the net right now. 675 pages in Volume I. I'll put a note here when the individual volumes are posted, or you can just visit ibiblio.org/hyperwar and check the "What's New" icon.

[AshtonBlack]

Sounds interesting G, how about a linky to the full story?

I'm processing the book for the net right now. 675 pages in Volume I. I'll put a note here when the individual volumes are posted, or you can just visit ibiblio.org/hyperwar and check the "What's New" icon.

Understood.

[Feck]

Did he shoot the prop ?

[AshtonBlack]

Did he shoot the prop ?

It was a push plane.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Did he shoot the prop ?

fickel.jpg

[Feck]

You shoot way above the aim point if you shoot vertically ?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You shoot way above the aim point if you shoot vertically ?

Vertical, horizontal, you figure from the situation.

I think that angle was for the cameras rather than his actual position. He would have to lead the target, not shoot straight down on it.

[Feck]

You shoot way above the aim point if you shoot vertically ?

Vertical, horizontal, you figure from the situation.

I think that angle was for the cameras rather than his actual position. He would have to lead the target, not shoot straight down on it.

Right not playing anymore tell me what happened

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You shoot way above the aim point if you shoot vertically ?

Vertical, horizontal, you figure from the situation.

I think that angle was for the cameras rather than his actual position. He would have to lead the target, not shoot straight down on it.

Right not playing anymore tell me what happened

Um, you have as much information as I do at this point.

[Feck]

Found it recoil of a .30 busts up a paper and string plane

[Clinton Huxley]

Possibly the deadliest weapon system ever deployed......

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--K3X6rp ... re=related[/youtube]

[AshtonBlack]

I'd say so. Did you see her not take nose rise into account? I bet her grouping was rubbish.

[Clinton Huxley]

I'm sure she could improve but I wouldn't like to face a brigade of these amazons