MIRACLES OF SCIENCE 



Thus, as "the eyes of the army/' the aeroplane, equip- 

 ped with wireless telegraph apparatus, has proved 

 its value. 



But the aeroplane is making rapid progress as a 

 fighting-machine as well. In August, 1912, Lieut. 

 Scott, an American, won the Michelin Target Compe- 

 titions in France, by dropping twelve out of fifteen 

 bombs into a circle of 66 feet in diameter from a 

 height of 656 feet. This performance would seem to 

 place the aeroplane in the position of a destructive 

 agent that must be reckoned with. Indeed, armies 

 of all nations are making such a reckoning. 



Four classes of bombs have been designed for these 

 aerial fighters: (1) heavy explosive bombs, to be used 

 against ships, dockyards, railways, bridges, and build- 

 ings; (2) small bombs or hand-grenades, for troops 

 assembled in masses; (3) incendiary projectiles, for 

 destroying buildings or magazines; (4) metal pro- 

 jectiles, for attacking air-craft. 



Meanwhile the armies and navies of the world are 

 busy with designs of guns for destroying aeroplanes 

 and dirigibles; and Col. Isaac N. Lewis, of the United 

 States Army, has perfected an automatic gun which 

 may be used from the airship, or against it. This 

 gun, which fires at the maximum rate of 750 shots a 

 minute, weighs only twenty-five pounds, and is air- 

 cooled. It was designed primarily for the use of 

 cavalry and infantry, for which it is admirably adapt- 

 ed, but its unique features make it peculiarly useful 

 as an aerial weapon. 



This gun was tested in June, 1912, and from a 

 height of 600 feet placed forty-five shots in a space 



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