The moment the first machine gun was fired from an aircraft
In short: On a field in Maryland, a historic test flight proved that aerial combat was not only possible but surprisingly accurate, marking the dawn of a new era in warfare.
On June 7, 1912, Lieutenant Roy Karrland piloted a Wright Model B—the first aircraft purchased by the American Army Air Services—over College Park, Maryland. His passenger, Captain Charles Chandler, used the flight to test a Lewis light machine gun. By aiming at a white cloth banner on the ground, Chandler demonstrated that aerial gunnery could be effective, hitting his target with 12% of the 47 rounds fired.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Did WWI Pilots Shoot Through Their Aircraft's Propeller?
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