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totalspoon · 4 November 2009, 07:58 PM

Hi Guys,

I recently posted a thread on the SimHQ website stating that the 250-300 meters effective range of the guns in Rise of Flight was too long, only to be laughed down. I tried to illustrate my point by the following quotes

'Mick' Mannock 61+ claims

In his rules for air fighting
"Rule 1. Pilots must dive to attack with zest, and must hold their fire until they get within one hundred yards of their target."

Oswald Boelcke 40 Claims and the father of German fighter tactics

He advocated to his pilots to get within 100 meters before opening fire. In his rules for air fighting (Dicta Boelcke) he states,
"Rule 3. Only fire at close range, and then only when the opponent is properly in your sights"

Manfred von Richthofen 80 Claims and leading WW1 Ace

"I calmly let him shoot, for even the best sharpshooter's marksmanship could not help at a distance of 300 metres. One just does not hit."

(Admittedly, the baron was talking about the gunner (Lt Woodbridge) but he was also being engaged by the pilots (Cpt Cunnel) fixed lewis too.)

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I've tried searching the archives but I can't find anything so I thought I'd as those of you with far greater knowledge to myself.

What was the effective and what was a typical engagement range in WW1 for fixed forward firing guns.

Thanks

Spoon

4 November 2009, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
totalspoon Two-seater Pilot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 197	Effective Ranges of WW1 aircraft guns Hi Guys, I recently posted a thread on the SimHQ website stating that the 250-300 meters effective range of the guns in Rise of Flight was too long, only to be laughed down. I tried to illustrate my point by the following quotes 'Mick' Mannock 61+ claims In his rules for air fighting "Rule 1. Pilots must dive to attack with zest, and must hold their fire until they get within one hundred yards of their target." Oswald Boelcke 40 Claims and the father of German fighter tactics He advocated to his pilots to get within 100 meters before opening fire. In his rules for air fighting (Dicta Boelcke) he states, "Rule 3. Only fire at close range, and then only when the opponent is properly in your sights" Manfred von Richthofen 80 Claims and leading WW1 Ace "I calmly let him shoot, for even the best sharpshooter's marksmanship could not help at a distance of 300 metres. One just does not hit." (Admittedly, the baron was talking about the gunner (Lt Woodbridge) but he was also being engaged by the pilots (Cpt Cunnel) fixed lewis too.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've tried searching the archives but I can't find anything so I thought I'd as those of you with far greater knowledge to myself. What was the effective and what was a typical engagement range in WW1 for fixed forward firing guns. Thanks Spoon