Brief Interview

I am currently a college freshman with an interest in World War I aviation. I am writing a paper for a research writing class, and I was interested in learning more on the British involvement in the aerial combat of World War I. I have just a few questions to ask; please don't take more than 10-15 minutes to answer these - it only needs to be brief. If possible, I would appreciate a response by tomorrow or as soon as possible.

1. Please state your name and any background information or credentials in this area.
2. What aspect of the adaptation to aerial combat most impresses you? Why is that?
3. Mannock had the most victories, but Hawker has at times been considered the greatest aviator. Which British ace do you believe had the largest overall impact on the RAF? Why?
4. Dirigibles were often difficult to destroy, and gunman were often on board to make and attack upon them even more perilous. What methods of destroying dirigibles were the most effective? What, in your opinion, made the dirigible such a force to be reckoned with?
5. Why was the RAF so slow to fully organize at the start of the war?
6. If you had to fly a mission now in any British made plane, which would it be? And why?

Thank you very much for your time, and I appreciate all of your help.

Tyler L. Skidmore
tskidmor@mvnc.edu
Mount Vernon Nazarene College
http://www.mvnc.edu

[Billy_Bishop]

First, check the information available, Mannock did not have the highest "official" score for the RFC/RNAS/RAF, Billy Bishop does.

Actually, I think Hawker had a greater impact than either Bishop or Mannock. HE, according to numerous sources designed the 97 round drum for the Lewis gun. The original drum held 47 rounds. He got the idea to double it's capacity. Considering how much the RFC/RAF relied on the Lewis gun, I'd say this was EXTREMELY important.

He was also, 99.9% most likely the first British Ace. His aggressiveness in the air pointed the way to go.

But that's just my opinion.

VBR,

Al Lowe
http://www.billybishop.net/zone

[Billy_Bishop]

Oops, forgot.

1.Albert Lowe, Amateur Aviation Historian.

2.That men were willing to go up and do combat in those machines at all, that impresses me. And that they were willing to go without a parachute, even AFTER it became available.

3.First, check the information available, Mannock did not have the highest "official" score for the RFC/RNAS/RAF, Billy Bishop does.

Actually, I think Hawker had a greater impact than either Bishop or Mannock. HE, according to numerous sources designed the 97 round drum for the Lewis gun. The original drum held 47 rounds. He got the idea to double it's capacity. Considering how much the RFC/RAF relied on the Lewis gun, I'd say this was EXTREMELY important.

He was also, 99.9% most likely the first British Ace. His aggressiveness in the air pointed the way to go. (taken from my first post to this thread)

4.That depends, are you referring to Zeppelins, or Observation balloons? For Zeppelins, their sheer size made them hard targets to destroy. While they were large and easy to hit, that still didn't make them easy to kill.

Observation balloons had the disadvantage of being anchored in place. That made them easy targets, but they were surrounded by AA guns. In both cases, Rockets were probably the best weapon to attack them with, but incendiary ammo was the most available weapon to attack them with.

5. EVERYONE was slow to fully organize. And at the start of the war, it was the RFC, not the RAF. I think the initial slowness was due to "accepted" military doctrine that the aeroplane was not suited to combat, and could/would only be used in a recon role.

It took time to figure out that the aeroplane could be used in many more ways. And it took some time to organize a proper aerial force, specially in the face of "friendly" opposition.

6. ANY British made airplane?? The Harrier. Because I could park it in my back yard.

VBR,

Al Lowe