what may
be described as acquiescence in any development that enabled the British
flying corps, although numerically inferior, to gain its mastery of the
air so unostentatiously and yet so completely.

All things considered an aeroplane duel is regarded as a fairly equal
combat. But what of a duel between an aeroplane and a dirigible? Which
holds the advantage? This question has not been settled, at any rate
conclusively, but it is generally conceded that up to a certain point
the dirigible is superior. It certainly offers a huge and attractive
target, but rifle fire at its prominent gas-bag is not going to cause
much havoc. The punctures of the envelope may represent so many
vents through which the gas within may effect a gradual escape, but
considerable time must elapse before the effect of such a bombardment
becomes pronounced in its result, unless the gas-bag is absolutely
riddled with machine gun-fire, when descent must be accelerated.

On the other hand, it is to be presumed that the dirigible is armed.
In this event it has a distinct advantage. It has a steady gun-platform
enabling the weapons of offence to be trained more easily and an
enhanced accuracy of fire to be obtained. In order to achieve success
it is practically imperative that an aeroplane should obtain a position
above the dirigible, but the latter can ascend in a much shorter space
of time, because its ascent is vertical, whereas the aeroplane
must describe a spiral in climbing. Under these circumstances it is
relatively easy for the airship to outmanoeuvre the aeroplane in the
vertical plane, and to hold the dominating position.

But even should the aeroplane obtain the upper position it is not
regarded with fear. Some of the latest Zeppelins have a machine gun
mounted upon the upper surface of the envelope, which can be trained
through 360 degrees and elevated to about 80 degrees vertical. Owing to
the steady gun platform offered it holds command in gun-fire, so that
the aeroplane, unless the aviator is exceptionally daring, will not
venture within the range of the dirigible. It is stated, however, that
this upper gun has proved unsatisfactory, owing to the stresses and
strains imposed upon the framework of the envelope of the Zeppelin
during firing, and it has apparently been abandoned. The position,
however, is still available for a sniper or sharpshooter.

The position in the sky between two such combatants is closely analogous
to that of a