GUNFIRE FROM AIRCRAFT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21143, 29 March 1932, Page 10

GUNFIRE FROM AIRCRAFT.

PRACTICE BY SQUADRON. LXERCISES OFF WHANGAPARAOA Lewis gun practice from tho Fairey lIIF seaplane will be carried out by officers of No. 1 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, New Zealand Air Force, off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula to-day and tomorrow, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The machine, which will probably be flown by one of the permanent staff officers, will carry in addition two members of the squadron at present in camp at the Hobsonville air base, who will use a Lewis gun, mounted in the rear cockpit, to fire at foating targets. A petrol tin will be dropped from the Fairey, and the officers will endeavour to hit it with bullets from the Lewis gun. If the sea is fairly calm, tho splashes should give a good indication of the accuracy of the firing. The exercise, which will continue throughout both days, should give each of the officers in camp an opportunity to use. the Lewis gun from the air. Preliminary practice with the Lewis gun was held on the 25 yards' range at Hobsonville yesterday. Squadron-Leader L. M. Jsitt, officer commanding the Hobsonville station, said yesterday that at the next camp of the squadron instruction in the use of the Maxim gun would probably be given. Trainees would later be taught to use a front gun firing, through the propeller of a machine, diving at the target and tiring the gun. ' Two of the machines at present at Hobsonville, the' 1* airev and the Bristol Fighter, were equipped with a front gun, synchronised for firing through Ihe propeller.