He had first fitted a locking device to the Lewis on the DH2 to try to get some extra stability for aiming. Higher Authority forbade it. 'The gun must be able to be swivelled upwards as it is on the Nieuports'.... apparently....,*despite the different relative positions of the pilot and gun. Such is military genius!!
So, in a further effort to increase the efficiency of firing, he decided that at least doubling the ammo may help.
Under the supervision of an engineer who had joined up as an air mechanic (W.L. French) he joined two 47 mags.
In May 1916 he called at the War Office whilst on leave and asked them to approve them. They did so and set about manufacture. The drums were sent to 24 Sqn in July for testing and after a few alterations suggested and sketched by Hawker, they went into general use.
In addition to the increased capacity, they also sported a canvas handle on the top, to aid in changing them (whilst wearing thick gloves, flying an unstable aircraft and fighting an 80mph slipstream).
Bookmarks