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Thread: RAF FE2 - a nice description of the observer's/gunner's job

  1. #1

    Default RAF FE2 - a nice description of the observer's/gunner's job

    I am reading this book
    https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-April-.../dp/0304367192

    Here is a nice description of the observer's/gunner's job

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2

    Default

    Flying the FE2 looks like something out of a Harold Lloyd movie... "Safety LAST."
    Historical Consultant/Researcher, Wings and Sails lines - Unless stated otherwise, all comments are personal opinion only and NOT official Ares policy.
    Wings Checklists: WWI (down Navarre Nieuport, Ares Drachens) | WWII (complete)

  3. #3

    Thumbs up

    Those FE gunners were very brave men the way they had to move around to shoot.
    I remember reading of one chap who used to climb on the cockpit sides to operate the rear firing gun!

  4. #4

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    Indeed. No force on earth or in heaven would get me into that front seat...
    Historical Consultant/Researcher, Wings and Sails lines - Unless stated otherwise, all comments are personal opinion only and NOT official Ares policy.
    Wings Checklists: WWI (down Navarre Nieuport, Ares Drachens) | WWII (complete)

  5. #5

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    I agree with you about the incredible courage of the observers climbing up to fire the rear gun. After a while, the observers were given a long leather strap, with which to secure themselves to their cockpit floor. I remember reading somewhere about an observer, who fell overboard and was dangling by his strap unable to climb back in. His pilot somehow jammed his controls, climbed out of his cockpit, helped the observer back on board and then returned to his own cockpit.

  6. #6

    Default

    on the shoulders of giants. im always amazed by the intestinal fortitude displayed by early aviators.

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  9. #9

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    Obviously designed by someone who was never going to have to fly in it.

  10. #10

  11. #11

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    You couldn't pay me to be a gunner in an FE2. Those guys were nuts.

  12. #12

    Default

    No, but you'd do it for God and Country, right?
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  13. #13

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jager View Post
    No, but you'd do it for God and Country, right?
    Karl
    There's "calculated risk," and then there's "near-certain suicide with dubious at BEST mission effectiveness."
    Historical Consultant/Researcher, Wings and Sails lines - Unless stated otherwise, all comments are personal opinion only and NOT official Ares policy.
    Wings Checklists: WWI (down Navarre Nieuport, Ares Drachens) | WWII (complete)

  14. #14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Diamondback View Post
    There's "calculated risk," and then there's "near-certain suicide with dubious at BEST mission effectiveness."
    Well, given that most of the crews came back, I'd say the risk was calculated correctly
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus



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