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Rh for the gunner's protection. In the aeroplane, however, the pilot is of almost more importance than the gunner; hence this traditional method of handling the shield may not be the best possible arrangement; perhaps it will be found advantageous to provide the pilot with a shield separately mounted or otherwise adjustable. There is rarely any intention in the case of a shield to give full and complete protection as is done with armour. It is an error to suppose that partial protection is of no value; every square inch covered diminishes proportionally the chances of a fatal hit, and so increases the fighting value of the machine, just as would a commensurate increase in rapidity of gun-fire; on the other hand, as already insisted, either armour or shield which is insufficient in thickness is worse than useless.

It is probable that in cases in which it may not pay to fit armour, it will still be found profitable, owing to the considerations already discussed, to provide shields to give partial protection both to gunner and pilot.