[stephen]

1) Not to denigrate Germans in any way, but let's face it... it wasn't their meticulous administration or supreme score keeping abilities that accounted for their more accurate records. It's a lot easier to count ducks when they fall in your own back yard.

2) Statistically, there were more fighters flying over the front at any given time than there were two seaters. Two seaters flew primarily alone or in pairs; fighters flew primarily in full flights of at least 3-12 a/c. This has a heavy bearing on how you weigh your statistics.

3) When counting MvR's scores, remember that when he began his career many of the fighters used by the RFC were in fact two seaters. Specifically the FE series and the Sopwith Strutters were used in massive numbers as fighters, as well as several other minor types. Another big factor to mess with your statistics.