The first purpose-made Reflector gun sight was produced by the optical firm of Optiche Anstall Oigee of Berlin working to Sir Howard Grubb’s patent. Illustrated here is an Oigee sight mounted on an American D.H.9 at McCook Field in 1923.

The colour plate features a painting by celebrated artist FRANK WOOTTON entitled. Knights of the Sky. According to the artist the picture depicts Sopwith Camels from Nos 3 and 10 Sqns in action during the Battle of Cambrai in March 1918 against the Fokker D.VIIs of a Richthofen circus.

The unique French double ring sight, shown here on a Nieuport fighter, proved rather difficult to use owing to the very small diameter of the two ring elements. The would be marksman shown here would have great difficulty firing the Lewis gun whilst holding the spade grip. Note the cooling fins on the Lewis gun.

Стрелок "Бэттла" из 300-й (польской) эскадрильи RAF. Хорошо видна пулеметная установка.
The gunner of a Fairey Battle using 2in ring and bead sights.

This Vickers K gun, fitted to a swivel arm on a Catalina side hatch, has 2in ring and bead sights mounted just ahead of the ammunition drums.

Early Aldis mounting on an S.E.5A. After service trials the normal mounting was on the starboard side of the engine cowling with the ring and bead fixed to the port.

The Shuttleworth Collection's S.E.5A. Note the ring and bead sight for the Vickers gun and the Aldis sight used in conjunction with the Lewis gun.

"Льюис" Mk II на "лафете Фостера" на истребительном варианте биплана "Авро-504".
The Neame night sight is seen here mounted on a Lewis gun fixed to a Foster mounting. This enabled the pilot to pull the gun down into a position where he could fire upwards into the underside of his quarry. The Avro 504 illustrated was used to train night fighter pilots in the technique of night interception. The ring and bead sight fixed to the engine cowling is unusual in that the ring element was usually fixed in the forward position, with the bead near­est the fighter’s windscreen. Another version of the Neame sight featured a large ring backsight treated with luminous paint, which was used with a foresight similar to the one shown here.
The symmetrical shape of the Hutton backsight can be seen in this unflawed print; the Neame ring backsight is mounted just ahead of the windscreen. Avro 504K singleseat night fighter No 77 (H.D.) Sqn, RAF, Penston, September 1918.

Remains of a German Gotha bomber shot down at Rochford, near Southend, being inspected by Capt Clifford, Cdr Bristow and Lt Evans.