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fiendish projectile consisting in reality of a pencil of solid
polished steel； 4 3/4 inches in length。 The lower end has a
sharp tapering point； 5/8ths of an inch in length。 For a
distance of 1 1/8th of an inch above this point the cylindrical
form of the pencil is preserved； but for the succeeding three
inches to the upper end； the pencil is provided with four equally
spaced angle flanges or vanes。 This flanging of the upper end or
tail ensures the arrow spinning rapidly as it falls through the
air； and at the same times preserves its vertical position during
its descent。 The weight of the arrow is two…thirds of an ounce。
The method of launching this fearsome projectile is ingenious。 A
hundred or even more are packed in a vertical position in a
special receptacle； placed upon the floor of the aeroplane；
preferably near the foot of the pilot or observer。 This
receptacle is fitted with a bottom moving in the manner of a
trap…door； and is opened by pressing a lever。 The aviator has
merely to depress this pedal with his foot； when the box is
opened and the whole of the contents are released。 The fall at
first is somewhat erratic； but this is an advantage； as it
enables the darts to scatter and to cover a wide area。 As the
rotary motion of the arrows increases during the fall； the direct
line of flight becomes more pronounced until at last they assume
a vertical direction free from all wobbling； so that when they
alight upon the target they are quite plumb。
When launched from a height they strike the objective with
terrific force； and will readily penetrate a soldier's helmet and
skull。 Indeed； when released at a height of 4；000 feet they have
been known to pierce a mounted soldier's head； and pass
vertically through his body and that of his horse also。 Time
after time German soldiers have found themselves pinned to the
ground through the arrow striking and penetrating their feet。
Owing to the extremely light weight of the darts they can be
launched in batches of hundreds at a time； and in a promiscuous
manner when the objective is a massed body of infantry or
cavalry； or a transport convoy。 They are extremely effective
when thrown among horses even from a comparatively low altitude；
not so much from the fatalities they produce； as from the fact
that they precipitate a stampede among the animals； which is
generally sufficiently serious and frantic to throw cavalry or a
transport…train into wild confusion。
Although aerial craft； when skilfully handled； have proved highly
successful as weapons of offence； the possibilities of such
aggression as yet are scarcely realised； aerial tactics are in
their infancy。 Developments are moving rapidly。 Great efforts
are being centred upon the evolution of more formidable missiles
to be launched from the clouds。 The airman is destined to
inspire far greater awe than at present； to exercise a still more
demoralising influence； and to work infinitely more destruction。
CHAPTER XI
ARMOURED AEROPLANES
The stern test of war has served to reveal conclusively the fact
that aerial craft can be put out of action readily and
effectively； when once the marksman has picked up the range；
whether the gunner be conducting his operations with an anti…
aircraft gun stationed upon the ground； or from a hostile
machine。 It will be remembered that Flight…Commander Briggs； on
the occasion of the daring British raid upon the Zeppelin sheds
at Friedrichshafen； was brought to the ground by a bullet which
penetrated his fuel tank。 Several other vessels； British；
German； French； and Russian alike； have been thrown out of action
in a similar manner； and invariably the craft which has been
disabled suddenly in this way has fallen precipitately to earth
in the fatal headlong dive。
Previous to the outbreak of hostilities there was considerable
divergence of opinion upon this subject。 The general opinion was
that the outspread wings and the stays which constituted the
weakest parts of the structure were most susceptible to gun…fire；
and thus were likely to fail。 But practice has proved that it is
the driving mechanism which is the most vulnerable part of the
aeroplane。
This vulnerability of the essential feature of the flying machine
is a decisive weakness； and exposes the aviator to a constant
menace。 It may be quite true that less than one bullet in a
thousand may hit the machine； but when the lucky missile does
find its billet its effect is complete。 The fact must not be
overlooked that the gunners who work the batteries of
anti…aircraft guns are becommg more and more expert as a result
of practice； so that as time progresses and improved guns for
such duty are rendered available； the work of the aviator is
likely to become more dangerous and difficult。 Experience has
proved that the high velocity gun of to…day is able to hurl its
projectile or shell to an extreme heightfar greater than was
previously considered possibleso that considerable discretion
has to be exercised by the airman； who literally bears his life
in his hands。
Although elaborate trials were carried out upon the testing
ranges with the weapons devised especially for firing upon flying
machines； captive balloons being employed as targets； the data
thus obtained were neither conclusive nor illuminating。 The
actual experiences of airmen have given us some very instructive
facts upon this point for the first time。
It was formerly held that the zone of fire that is to be
considered as a serious danger was within a height of about 4；500
feet。 But this estimate was well within the mark。 Airmen have
found that the modern projectiles devised for this phase of
operations are able to inflict distinctly serious damage at an
altitude of 9；000 feet。 The shell itself may have but little of
its imparted velocity remaining at this altitude； but it must be
remembered that when the missile bursts； the contents thereof are
given an independent velocity； and a wide cone of dispersion；
which is quite sufficient to achieve the desired end； inasmuch as
the mechanism of the modern aeroplane and dirigible is somewhat
delicate。
It was for this reason that the possibility of armouring the
airship was discussed seriously； and many interesting experiments
in this field were carried out。 At the same time it was decided
that the armouring should be effected upon lines analogous to
that prevailing in warship engineering。 The craft should not
only be provided with defensive but also with aggressive
armament。 This decision was not viewed with general approbation。
It was pointed out that questions of weight would arise；
especially in relation to the speed of the machine。 Increased
weight； unless it were accompanied by a proportionate
augmentation of power in the motor； would react against the
efficiency and utility of the machine； would appreciably reduce
its speed； and would af