I also like the bonkers phase between the “just take a gun with you” era and the synchronizing gears. Seems to have boiled down to three or four ideas:
Pusher prop and/or an extra 150 pounds of human to work a turret.
Hope you don’t completely destroy your propeller before you defeat or fend off your opponent.
Slap some armor on it, then proceed with plan #2 with somewhat more hope, though now with the possibility of richochets.
Mount a bizarre triangle thing to the back of it that will deflect the bullets in a somewhat less suicidal manner than simple metal plates.
We also had:
5. Stick it on top of the wing, firing roughly forwards and hope for the best (Nieuport Scouts)
6. Mount it on the side of the cockpit at a jaunty angle, shooting outwards diagonally away from the propellor, and attack the enemy diagonally, like you’re a pawn on a chess board (Bristol Scout)
I also like the bonkers phase between the “just take a gun with you” era and the synchronizing gears. Seems to have boiled down to three or four ideas:
We also had:
5. Stick it on top of the wing, firing roughly forwards and hope for the best (Nieuport Scouts)
6. Mount it on the side of the cockpit at a jaunty angle, shooting outwards diagonally away from the propellor, and attack the enemy diagonally, like you’re a pawn on a chess board (Bristol Scout)