What are people buying?

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Gatta agree about the pose, imagine if he slews right.

Then you are truly eating lead. (The answer to the other question is probably "either" if I'm completely honest.....)

[levied troop]

I’ve always thought that particular pose was one you did in training to prove you were a “man” - I SAID TO PROVE YOU’RE A “MAN”! but was abandoned in operational use immediately.

I mean, it’s not the most stable of platforms to fire from, compared to lying down it quadruples your target size and there’s always a tendency to pull upwards, so lying down is going to be more accurate.

[grizzlymc]

It's not for general shredding of squaddies; it's specifically for AA. The brits had a tripod thingy to replace the shoulder, but it generally got left in the truck.

I think that the chances of hitting a plane with that pose are pretty slim.

[Etranger]

It was however, a standard training drill so would have seen some use.

I had often wondered about that, but thought it might have been up (or should that be "down"?) there with Sven Hassel's standing to attention whilst someone balanced a stick grenade on the top of your helmet in terms of veracity. I imagine it didn't survive much longer than the passing out parade for most people. I can't imagine many folk being keen on having a 1,000-round-a-minute weapon's muzzle blast next to their ear and muzzle flash next to their eye. Actually, I can think of one or two I've met over the years, but I wouldn't want to be near any of them with loaded weapons, even if the enemy wasn't present.

Maybe. I've got a collection of photos on my 'proper' (ie not work) computer showing it in fairly widespread 'field' use, although they may have of course been posed.

[Buff Orpington]

Back in the 80'same the RAF got keen on standards and came with Skills & Knowedge curricula. I remember reading the one for RAF Regiment Gunners and one part covered AA fire. Basically the section were to lay on their backs and fire directly upwards.

[grizzlymc]

I think the Brits figured in WWII that nobody without special training had a snowballs of pointing the gun at where the plane would be, so upwards volley fire is probably more likely to hit an aircraft than shooting at anything. Do squad lmgs have tracers?

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Basically the section were to lay on their backs and fire directly upwards.

Trust the RAF to find the comfortable way of doing something. Did the hotel supply them with li-los, or did they have to provide their own?

[grizzlymc]

Baron, don't be facetious!

The RAF would never patronise a hotel which expected guests to lie on lilos. They would expect an ergonomic chaise lounge with variable compression mattress and a stand for individual weapons. And no jokes about G&Ts brought by bikini clad hostesses. There was a menu of 100 cocktails and there were no bikinis!

How can you be so dismissive?

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

My apologies, I was under the impression that Buff's service had pre-dated the invention of the ergonomic chaise/variable compression mattress (and possibly even the G&T).

[FreddBloggs]

Amateurs. Pink gins and padded seats for the Navy, long before the RAF was even thought of!