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Nile Kinnick correspondence, September-November 1942
1942-11-28: Page 03
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2 We make 4 different types of runs - high beam, level beam, low beam, and overhead - and usually try to fire at a full deflection angle. Deflection shooting is tougher than coming in from the rear, but also it makes it much harder for the free gunners on a bomber to get his sights on you. The other day I came screaming out of an overhead run at 290 knots which is buzzing right along. My record of gunnery hits to date has been very poor. It is small comfort that the rest of my flight - excepting one man - has done no better. However, despite all this I feel that I am getting the word. The pattern of my runs has steadily improved and sooner or later I shall start to hit. Tomorrow is our last day of gunnery. We are going to fire all six guns which should be quite an experience. By 4:30 we have made three 45 minute hops, examining the sleeve and reloading between each, and are ready to fly back to Cecil. Then comes supper and whatever you care to do afterwards - station movie, read, write letters, play cards. Usually I am pretty well poohed and am content just to take it easy. At ten oclock I hit the hay - and so has gone another day.
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2 We make 4 different types of runs - high beam, level beam, low beam, and overhead - and usually try to fire at a full deflection angle. Deflection shooting is tougher than coming in from the rear, but also it makes it much harder for the free gunners on a bomber to get his sights on you. The other day I came screaming out of an overhead run at 290 knots which is buzzing right along. My record of gunnery hits to date has been very poor. It is small comfort that the rest of my flight - excepting one man - has done no better. However, despite all this I feel that I am getting the word. The pattern of my runs has steadily improved and sooner or later I shall start to hit. Tomorrow is our last day of gunnery. We are going to fire all six guns which should be quite an experience. By 4:30 we have made three 45 minute hops, examining the sleeve and reloading between each, and are ready to fly back to Cecil. Then comes supper and whatever you care to do afterwards - station movie, read, write letters, play cards. Usually I am pretty well poohed and am content just to take it easy. At ten oclock I hit the hay - and so has gone another day.
Nile Kinnick Collection
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