Lewis gun angle of fire on Brisfits in 1918

[Michael Molkentin]

Hi all

I've come across a number of references by Australian Bristol fighter pilots and observers in their Combats in the Air Reports that puzzle me.

Apparently, pilots would sometimes chase German aircraft while their observer fired their Lewis guns forward, over the top wings. I have attached one example from a fight that Ross Smith and Alister Kirk got into over Nablus in May 1918. This is one of several such accounts.

Given that Brisfit crews sat back to back, I fail to see how this was possible. Do I have the wrong mental picture? Or could a Brisfit observer rotate his guns practically 360*?

Michael

[Starlight]

Michael

The observer had either one or two Lewis guns, fitted to a rotating mount (Scarfe ring). He could spin it around and change the angle of inclination, so firing ahead over the top planes was common - he did have to be careful though!

Here are a couple of photos that show a typical installation.

Regards

Steve

[Dolphin]

Michael

The Lewis gun(s) on the Scarff ring mounting fitted to the Bristol Fighter could rotated through 360˚, enabling the observer to fire over the pilot's head. The observer seat was usually folded away when airborne, to allow the observer maximum freedom of movement.

Capt R S Smith and Lt W A Kirk were credited with an 'Out of Control' victory on 22 May 1918.

One minor point if I may, the contemporary affectionate name for the Bristol was the 'Biff'. "Brisfit' is a term used post-War.

Cheers

Gareth

[Dolphin]

Steve

You're getting quicker and quicker!

Gareth

[Starlight]

Steve

You're getting quicker and quicker!

Gareth

Gareth, I think we must log on at the same time - perhaps its when it starts to rain.

[centurion]

Coming at a two seater from behind and below and firing upwards at him was a classic mode of attack. Albert Ball specialized in it using the wing mounted Lewis on a Nieuport pulled back to fire at 45 degrees. It made good effect of the blind spot created by the tail of the enemy aircraft and it was a position on which it was difficult for the enemy observer/gunner to bring his gun(s) to bear. Firing upwards at 45 degrees also maximises the distance over which the bullets effectively take a straight line thus making aiming easier. Some Bristol Fighters were also fitted with over the wing guns so that, with a twin gun Scarf mounting added four guns would be brought to bear, greatly increasing the chance of bringing down the enemy very quickly or at least of knocking out the gunner thus making an eventual kill much easier.

[Dolphin]

"a twin gun Scarf mounting".

I believe that the inventor of the gun mounting, Warrant Officer [later Engineer Lieutenant] F W Scarff of the RNAS spelt his surname with two 'f's. See The War in the Air Volume II.

Gareth

[centurion]

Consider the nit picked - I missed a key.