aeroplanes and dirigibles of war-第23节
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Owing to the extremely light weight of the darts they can be
launched in batches of hundreds at a time; and in a promiscuous
manner when the objective is a massed body of infantry or
cavalry; or a transport convoy。 They are extremely effective
when thrown among horses even from a comparatively low altitude;
not so much from the fatalities they produce; as from the fact
that they precipitate a stampede among the animals; which is
generally sufficiently serious and frantic to throw cavalry or a
transport…train into wild confusion。
Although aerial craft; when skilfully handled; have proved highly
successful as weapons of offence; the possibilities of such
aggression as yet are scarcely realised; aerial tactics are in
their infancy。 Developments are moving rapidly。 Great efforts
are being centred upon the evolution of more formidable missiles
to be launched from the clouds。 The airman is destined to
inspire far greater awe than at present; to exercise a still more
demoralising influence; and to work infinitely more destruction。
CHAPTER XI
ARMOURED AEROPLANES
The stern test of war has served to reveal conclusively the fact
that aerial craft can be put out of action readily and
effectively; when once the marksman has picked up the range;
whether the gunner be conducting his operations with an anti…
aircraft gun stationed upon the ground; or from a hostile
machine。 It will be remembered that Flight…Commander Briggs; on
the occasion of the daring British raid upon the Zeppelin sheds
at Friedrichshafen; was brought to the ground by a bullet which
penetrated his fuel tank。 Several other vessels; British;
German; French; and Russian alike; have been thrown out of action
in a similar manner; and invariably the craft which has been
disabled suddenly in this way has fallen precipitately to earth
in the fatal headlong dive。
Previous to the outbreak of hostilities there was considerable
divergence of opinion upon this subject。 The general opinion was
that the outspread wings and the stays which constituted the
weakest parts of the structure were most susceptible to gun…fire;
and thus were likely to fail。 But practice has proved that it is
the driving mechanism which is the most vulnerable part of the
aeroplane。
This vulnerability of the essential feature of the flying machine
is a decisive weakness; and exposes the aviator to a constant
menace。 It may be quite true that less than one bullet in a
thousand may hit the machine; but when the lucky missile does
find its billet its effect is complete。 The fact must not be
overlooked that the gunners who work the batteries of
anti…aircraft guns are becommg more and more expert as a result
of practice; so that as time progresses and improved guns for
such duty are rendered available; the work of the aviator is
likely to become more dangerous and difficult。 Experience has
proved that the high velocity gun of to…day is able to hurl its
projectile or shell to an extreme heightfar greater than was
previously considered possibleso that considerable discretion
has to be exercised by the airman; who literally bears his life
in his hands。
Although elaborate trials were carried out upon the testing
ranges with the weapons devised especially for firing upon flying
machines; captive balloons being employed as targets; the data
thus obtained were neither conclusive nor illuminating。 The
actual experiences of airmen have given us some very instructive
facts upon this point for the first time。
It was formerly held that the zone of fire that is to be
considered as a serious danger was within a height of about 4;500
feet。 But this estimate was well within the mark。 Airmen have
found that the modern projectiles devised for this phase of
operations are able to inflict distinctly serious damage at an
altitude of 9;000 feet。 The shell itself may have but little of
its imparted velocity remaining at this altitude; but it must be
remembered that when the missile bursts; the contents thereof are
given an independent velocity; and a wide cone of dispersion;
which is quite sufficient to achieve the desired end; inasmuch as
the mechanism of the modern aeroplane and dirigible is somewhat
delicate。
It was for this reason that the possibility of armouring the
airship was discussed seriously; and many interesting experiments
in this field were carried out。 At the same time it was decided
that the armouring should be effected upon lines analogous to
that prevailing in warship engineering。 The craft should not
only be provided with defensive but also with aggressive
armament。 This decision was not viewed with general approbation。
It was pointed out that questions of weight would arise;
especially in relation to the speed of the machine。 Increased
weight; unless it were accompanied by a proportionate
augmentation of power in the motor; would react against the
efficiency and utility of the machine; would appreciably reduce
its speed; and would affect its climbing powers very adversely。
In some quarters it was maintained that as a result the machine
would even prove unsuited to military operations; inasmuch as
high speed is the primary factor in these。
Consequently it was decided by the foremost aviating experts that
machines would have to be classified and allotted to particular
spheres of work; just as warships are built in accordance with
the special duty which they are expected to perform。 In
reconnaissance; speed is imperative; because such work in the air
coincides with that of the torpedo…boat or scout upon the seas。
It is designed to acquire information respecting the movements of
the enemy; so as to assist the heavier arms in the plan of
campaign。 On the other hand; the fighting corsair of the skies
might be likened to the cruiser or battleship。 It need not
possess such a high turn of speed; but must be equipped with
hard…hitting powers and be protected against attacking fire。
One attempt to secure the adequate protection against gun…fire
from the ground assumed the installation of bullet…proof steel
plating; about one fifth of an inch thick; below the tank and the
motor respectively。 The disposition of the plating was such as
to offer the minimum of resistance to the air and yet to present
a plane surface to the ground below。 So far as it went this
protection was completely effective; but it failed to armour the
vital parts against lateral; cross and downward fire while aloft。
As the latter is more to be feared than the fire from the ground;
seeing that it may be directed at point blank range; this was a
decided defect and the armour was subsequently abandoned as
useless。
The only effective method of achieving the desired end is to
armour the whole of the carriage or fuselage of the adroplane;
and this was the principle adopted by the Vickers Company。 The
Vickers military aeroplane is essentially a military machine。 It
is built of steel throughout。 The skeleton of the machine is
formed of an alloy which combines the qualities of aluminium and
steel to ensure toughness; strength; and lightness。 In fact;
metal is employed liberally throughout; except in connection with
the wings; which follow the usual lines of construction。 The
body of the car is sheathed with steel plating which is bullet
proof against rifle or even shrapnel fire。 The car is designed
to carry two persons; the seats are therefore disposed
tandemwise; with the observer or gunner occupying the front seat。
The defensive armament is adequate for ordinary purposes。 Being
fitted with a 100 horse…power motor; fairly high speeds are
attainable; although the velocity is not equal to that of
machines constructed upon conventional lines; inasmuch as there
is an appreciable increase in weight。
The car is short and designed upon excellent stream lines; so
that the minimum of resistance to the air is offered; while at
the same time the balancing is perfect。 The sides of the car are
brought up high enough to protect the aviators; only their heads
being visible when they are seated。 The prow of the car follows
the lines generally adopted in high speed torpedo boat design;
there is a sharp knife edge stem with an enclosed fo'c's'le; the
latter housing the gun。
Another craft; designed for scouting operations; may be likened
to the mosquito craft of the seas。 This machine; while a biplane
like the military aeroplane; is of lighter construction;
everything being sacrificed to speed in this instance。 It is
fitted with a 100 horse…power motor and is designed to carry an
observer if required。 There is no offensive armament; however。
The fuel tank capacity; moreover; is limited; being only
sufficient for a two or three hours' flight。 While this is
adequate for general reconnoitring; which for the most part
entails short high speed flights; there are occasio