|
Author
|
Topic: Gunsights in WW1 aircraft.
|
Burkey
Pilot
|
posted 01-28- 04:39 PM
   
I don't think many aircraft [especially German] used gunsights. They simply estimated using a point in space. Is this correct or have I got it wrong?IP: Logged |
Sv
Pilot
|
posted 01-28- 04:51 PM
Just from the pics I have seen (not many) - Sometimes I see that they just used the stock gunsights on the guns since these were not special aircraft guns anyway - like the Lewis and the Vickers... Also I think some SE5a have a scope - have you seen this? I know the Lewis on the upper wing uses a bead and notch thing to line up the shots... at least when the gun is tipped upward that is  I am curious about this, anyone else have an idea on this?
------------------
-Sv =FC=
WWI in SDOE!
IP: Logged |
Burkey
Pilot
|
posted 01-28- 05:04 PM
Thanks for the quick reply! Yeah, I've seen Se5a's with scopes, they all have scopes in the movie'Aces high', and I've a photo of Gerald Maxwell of 56 squadron in his plane showing one two.IP: Logged |
Michael
Pilot
|
posted 01-28- 05:44 PM
I believe a variety of gun sights were used. The standard British gun sight was called the Aldis sight and consisted of a long tube of the kind SV is refering to. Many pilots discarded the Aldis and set up ring and bead type sights or something similar to what one would have on a rifle. I don't know what the Germans used as standard. I would be wary of relying on present day of pictures as there many reproductions out there with just something the owner thought looked cool and slapped onto the front of the airplane.IP: Logged |
Zoycite
JAG
|
posted 01-28- 06:14 PM
The German AC used sights in one form or another. Usaully, and especially at the early stages of the war, the pilots mounted what ever guns they could get their hands on. Also many of the mountings were made from parts salvaged from around the aerodrome. While these early craft might not of had stock sights, i'm sure that they used some type of aiming device. As the airwar grew, and the focus moved from recon to escort, the single seat scouts, built with air combat in mind did have sights as a standard issue. That would have been for all nations. Lets keep in mind that many pilots altered and added to their planes on a regular basis. Mirrors, guns, racks, instruments and a whole slew of stuff. So you may have 20 sights used for one A/C type. ------------------
Zoycite {GS}
GUNSLINGERS  visit The War Paint Factory IP: Logged |
juzz
Pilot
|
posted 01-28- 08:02 PM
Definitely don't rely on "Aces High" - they weren't even real WW1 scouts, they were modified Stampes and the like.  IP: Logged |
dauntless851
Pilot
|
posted 01-29- 01:45 PM
I've seen pics of gunsights that consisted of a bead with a stem a few inches long sticking out of the fuselage in front of the cockpit, and a ring about a foot or two away from the bead/stem. This was also sticking out of the fuselage.
Sometimes the ring was hanging down from the underside of the upper wing instead of the fuselage.IP: Logged |
Burkey
Pilot
|
posted 01-31- 06:40 AM
Juzz, I know the German planes in 'Aces High' were out of context, but the Se 5's[ plane we are talking about] looked real to me, or at least accurate recreations. It's a British movie so I'd expect the producers to have got hold of a few easily enough. If they are [very] inaccurate could you tell me in what way?{ I have a copy of the movie at home so i can go and check it out!. IP: Logged |
FSIC Messageboard
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
