VII. SOLANO TARGET—MARKS I AND II.
1. Official Handbook.—Full directions regarding the Solano Target and landscape targets, together with information as to their use for instruction, are contained in the official handbook—Standard Equipment for Miniature Ranges (40, War Office, 2005)—from which the following short extracts are made. One of these handbooks is supplied to units with each Solano Target, and should be kept for reference.
2. Framework and Mechanism. ([Fig. 53]).—The Mark I Target consists of a framework containing two tiers 10 feet long—Tier A (higher), and Tier B (lower). Tier A is fitted with crossing target mechanism, operating two target carriers from opposite ends of the Tier, and clips for disappearing targets arranged in two separate sections which can be operated simultaneously or separately. Tier B is fitted with falling target clips, which allow targets to fall when hit. Falling clips can be raised and lowered from the firing-point, like the disappearing clips on Tier A. The former can be shifted to right and left, and the latter linked together with coupling clips to facilitate any desired arrangement of targets or figures. All mechanism can be operated from the firing-point by means of cords labelled to show the particular mechanism they operate ([Fig. 54]).
3. Scenery.—There are two types of scenery—A and C—consisting of backgrounds which will serve to represent foreground, middle distance, and distance of almost any kind of country in any part of the world. The scenery is pasted on frames, and can be placed in position on the target in a moment (Figs. 55 and 56). Patching pieces are provided to repair shot-holes which are not visible from the firing-point to the naked eye.
4. Scenic Accessories.—The details of a landscape can be arranged on the target by placing the various scenic accessories, consisting of colour-printed representations of various natural and other features, mounted on stiff card, in any desired position on either tier by fixing them in grooves made for this purpose either behind targets or in front to represent cover. The scenic accessories are coloured and scaled for different ranges, the range being printed on each. They may be used to represent the following features:
Wooded hills.
Flat-topped hills or kopjes.
Conical hills.
Woods.
Fir-wood.
Group of houses with church.
Group of cottages.
House.
Cottage.
Oak-tree.
Elm-tree.
Fir-tree.
Palm-tree.
Hedgerow.
Thick hedge or bush.
Bushes.
Stone wall.
Undergrowth.
Folds of ground.
Low banks.
Indian hill fort.
Sangar.
Rocks.
5. Solano Figures.—The Solano figures are all scaled to size for various distances, and consist of the following brown, grey, or colour-printed figures. Each figure is provided with a base equal in depth to the clips which hold them in position.
| Reference Number. | Description. | Distance (Yards). |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Infantryman in kneeling position | 200 |
| 1 | Infantryman in standing position | 400 |
| 2 | Infantryman in prone position or firing from open trench | 400 |
| 3 | Infantryman firing from behind sand-bag | 400 |
| 4 | Infantryman firing from loophole in head cover | 400 |
| 5 | Infantryman in standing position | 600 |
| 6 | Infantryman in standing position | 800 |
| 7 | Infantryman in kneeling position | 800 |
| 8 | Infantryman in lying position | 800 |
| 9 | Mounted cavalryman | 800 |
| 19 | Machine-gun in action | 800 |
| 25 | Infantry line in extended order | 1,000 |
| 26 | Infantry line in extended order | 1,200 |
| 27 | Infantry line in extended order | 1,400 |
| 29 | Machine-gun in action | 1,400 |
| 30 | Infantry line in extended order | 1,600 |
| 31 | Infantry line in extended order | 1,800 |
| 32 | Company of infantry in fours | 2,000 |
| 33 | Infantry line in extended order | 2,000 |
| 34 | Field-gun in action | 2,000 |
| 35 | Crossing-targets Convoy waggon facing firer’s right | 2,000 |
| 35a | Crossing-targets Convoy waggon facing firer’s left | 2,000 |
| 37 | Crossing-targets Squadron of cavalry facing firer’s right | 2,000 |
| 37a | Crossing-targets Squadron of cavalry facing firer’s left | 2,000 |
| 38 | Company of infantry in fours | 2,500 |
| 39 | Company of infantry in column | 2,800 |
6. Observation Practices.—Observation practices may be carried out by heaping a bank of sawdust at the foot of the apparatus below Tier B, with its surface sloping at the same angle as the end-frames. To fix targets in the sawdust, attach to Observation Practice Holders consisting of iron pins grooved at the top to hold targets. Care must be taken to remove all sawdust and grit displaced by bullets from the falling target clips and other mechanism, or their action may be clogged. A brush should be used to clean the mechanism after observation practices.
7. Landscape Targets.—The official handbook above referred to contains information as to fixing landscape targets to the framework of the Solano Target in position for instruction in firing ([Fig. 57]).
VIII. SOLANO ELEMENTARY AND INSTRUCTIONAL TARGETS.[34]
1. In Musketry Regulations, para. 361, it is laid down that in carrying out training on miniature ranges due regard must be paid to the visibility of service targets, and bull’s-eye targets must be used for the first few rounds only. In para. 206 (iii) of Musketry Regulations (see Sec. 17, para. 4 of this book) focussing the eye on the fore-sight of the rifle instead of on the object is indicated as a common fault which instructors must guard against in elementary stages of training. This error is common when bull’s-eye targets are used, and unless remedied will adversely affect shooting at service Targets, on which the eye must be focussed, and which must be watched closely when firing.
2. Elementary Targets (Figs. 67 and 68).—The Solano Elementary Targets have been designed to counteract the tendency to focus the eye on the fore-sight instead of on the target, and may be used for grouping and application practices after firing at the bull’s-eye target. These targets are coloured green, brown, and grey, instead of white, to accustom the eye to the tints of natural backgrounds against which service targets will be seen. The aiming-mark in No. 2 is less distinct than in No. 1, to accustom the eye gradually to focussing on indistinct targets when aiming.
Fig. 67.—Solano Elementary Target No. 1.
(Actual size. [See footnote, p. 250].)
Fig. 68.—Solano Elementary Target No. 2.
(Actual size. [See footnote, p. 250].)
3. Triangle Aiming and Scoring Diagrams.—(i) Triangles have been substituted in these targets for concentric circles as aiming and scoring diagrams, because they have a truer relation to the shape of the human figure in both lying and upright positions. The triangle on No. 1 target has relation to the human figure in an upright position, and the triangle on No. 2 target to the human figure in a lying position. The dimensions of the triangles on these targets correspond with the regulation grouping standards of the British Army.
Fig. 69.—A Circle (3 Inches in Diameter) and a Triangle (3 Inches Equilateral) showing that the Triangle as Aiming and Scoring Diagram induces Closer Grouping than the Circle by Allowing Less Margin for Both Vertical and Lateral Errors represented by the Dots.
(ii) For elementary instruction in aiming the important six o’clock line—the centre of the base of the triangle—is on these targets an indicated instead of an imaginary line, as in the case of the circular bull’s-eye. More consistent grouping is induced by the triangle owing to the fact that it allows a much narrower margin for lateral errors, while its conical shape and straight base considerably curtail the scoring area for vertical errors off the six o’clock line as compared with the circle ([Fig. 69]). The triangle, moreover, as an aiming and scoring surface puts a premium upon a low point of aim and from the first inculcates in men, as a habit, this vital principle of marksmanship in war.
Fig. 70.—Solano Instructional Target No. 1. Upright Figure. 25 Yards = 400.
(Slightly reduced from actual size. [See footnote, p. 250].)
Fig. 71.—Solano Instructional Target No. 2. Upright Figure. 25 Yards = 500.
(Actual size. [See footnote, p. 250].)
(iii) The centre triangles are not made smaller, firstly, because it is not desired to encourage the habit of slow aim which is engendered by individual practice at very small marks, and which militates against efficiency in snapshooting and rapid firing; and, secondly, because it is not desired to encourage men to attain a useless and disproportionate degree of excellence in firing at elementary targets which is merely preparatory for practice at service targets.
Fig. 72.—Solano Instructional Target No. 3. Lying Figure. 25 Yards = 300.
(Actual size. [See footnote, p. 250].)
4. Instructional Targets (Figs. 70, 71, and 72).—(i) These targets are also coloured green, grey, and brown, the colour of the uniform of the figures on them corresponding in each case with that of the target. The figures are accurately scaled down to correct size at 25 yards for the actual distances, so as to help men in judging close range by accustoming the eye to the appearance of men seen at different distances against backgrounds which harmonize with the colour of their uniform. It must be remembered that the figures on these targets, though necessarily depicted in fixed postures as stationary marks, represent men in movement during which they are seldom stationary or seen in a fixed posture, except, possibly, for a few seconds while lying down to fire.
(ii) Accordingly, marks are not given for hits scored on any particular part of the figures depicted in fixed postures, which would usually be seen in movement, but for shots grouped in areas of comparative value as regards probable assurance of fire effect, chosen in the light of experience of war as the best aiming points for firing at figures in movement which frequently and suddenly alternate between the upright and lying positions. The centre triangles, representing the most valuable of these grouping areas, are purposely made fairly large for the reasons stated in connection with the elementary triangles—namely, that they are grouping areas for snapshooting, and not for deliberate firing.