THE THEORY AND PRACTICE
OF AERIAL SIGHTING
F. S. Publication 118
AIR MINISTRY, London, 1919
“A man’s flying ability may be perfect; he may be able to control the machine like no one else on earth, but if he goes into a fight and risks his life to get into the right position for a good shot, and, upon arriving there, cannot hit the mark – he is useless”
Major W. A. Bishop V.C., D.S.O., M.C.
The Theory and Practice of Aerial Sighting is a very rare RAF aerial combat handbook, published by the Air Ministry in May 1919. This copy originally belonged to a WW1 RFC and RAF pilot, Captain R. H. Stocken. It is signed on the front cover by ‘R. H. Stocken’. There is also a small label 'Personal Property of Capt. R. H. Stocken' attached to the rear endpapers.
Produced just after the end of the First World War, this handbook is a detailed practical guide to the sighting theory and aiming equipment used for aerial gunnery by the RFC, RNAS, and RAF during WW1 and in the inter-war period. Very well illustrated with diagrams and photographic plates, the book draws heavily on the experience of the pilots and observers of the RFC and RAF in WW1, emphasising the vital importance of accurate shooting. The book includes information on the various methods of sighting, combat training, the sights used - ring, bead, Scarff, Norman Vane, and Aldis, and the guns they were used with - the Vickers .303 and the Lewis. Subjects covered include: fixed guns, moveable guns, sights, deflection, rangefinding, enemy speed, attack on aircraft, attack on kite ballons, phases of training, harmonisation of sights, practice in the air, and use of the camera gun.
Captain Reginald Herbert Stocken (1893-1983) was a First World War fighter pilot with the RFC and RAF, post-war test pilot, and survivor of numerous crashes and forced landings. He had joined the City of London Yeomanry in 1912 and served with them in Egypt and the Dardanelles in 1915, before transfering to the Royal Flying Corps in March 1916 and qualifying as a pilot in May 1916. He served first with 21 Squadron RFC ('The best artillery Squadron in France' - Trenchard), then from March 1917 with 23 Squadron flying FE2b and Spad VII fighters. On 12 March 1917 he was lucky to survive a crash landing when the engine of his Spad failed in a steep dive during a test flight at Puchevillers. Later in 1917 Stocken served in the UK with 56 Squadron on Home Defence duties against Zeppelin and Gotha bombing raids. On 22 August 1917 he was once again fortunate to survive another crash landing after engine failure on take off. During WW1 Stocken also qualified as a flying instructor and by August 1918 had been promoted to Captain. Clearly an exceptional pilot, Stocken remained with the RAF after the war, and was attached to the French Air Force as an instructor from 1918-1919. During 1919 he was on Peace Conference duties in Paris and was assistant Air Attache to the British Embassy. In July 1920 Stocken survived another near miss in Paris, when the Sopwith Strutter he was flying (lent to him by Charles Nungesser) ran out of fuel while he was attempting to film a horse race, and he had to make an emergency landing on the Longchamps race course. Stocken left the RAF in 1920 to take up commercial and Test Pilot flying at Croydon, before rejoining the RAF in 1923, serving as an instructor at the Central Flying School, Upavon for 3 years. During his time at Upavon, Stocken was noted as being one of the very best pilots - able to land an Avro 504 within 9 inches of the target after switching off the engine at 1500 feet. He took part in many air races - including the 1922 Aerial Derby, flying a Martinsyde F4, and the 1923 King's Cup, flying a DH9a - and later went on to be a Test Pilot for De Havilland and Gloster. He was also involved in high speed flight trials and the Schneider Trophy races. Recalled to the RAF at the start of WW2, Stocken was promoted to Squadron Leader in 1941 and finally retired as a Wing Commander.
(I will include copies of the details of R. H. Stocken's flying career with the book).
Condition:
In good condition. The cover has general signs of wear and use, some marks, water marks to the rear cover, and two ring binder holes carefully punched near the spine. The binding is good and secure. The text, plates and illustrations are in good condition, with some old water marks and stains. Signed on the front cover by ‘R. H. Stocken’. There is a small label 'Personal Property of Capt. R. H. Stocken' attached to the rear endpapers.
Published: 1919
Pink card cover with black titling
Illustrated with diagrams and photographic plates
Dimensions: 140mm x 215mm
Pages: 51
