Warbird Information Exchange

it has always interested me what open air aerial machine gunners experienced while on duty with no protection from the slip stream, the elements, etc, without the benefit or luxury of a windshield or turret. i can't even begin to imagine attempting to bead in on an enemy aircraft in that environment!! ww 1 aerial gunners right up to the 1930's. to see a man forward of the cockpit, manning his weapon from 60 to a couple hundred miles per hour ( average air speed from ww 1 to the early 1930's) is just staggering to think about with the wind on you, trying to steady the gun, etc. i can think of countless warbirds from that time frame that operated in that unprotected configuration, & from all major military aviation leading countries of that time span. the helmet & goggles & flight jacket surely could not have been enough for physical protection let alone defending yourself.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!