Saville wrote:For what it's worth, the Showdown episode featuring Bong indicated that Bong was a lousy shot at the start. Roughly midway though his combat period he went home and re-took gunnery class and markedly improved his shooting capabilities.
Aerial gunnery, like a lot of "fighter pilot" skills, is something that can be learned and cultivated through training and practice.
With a conflict like WWII, and someone like Bong who spent nearly two years flying in combat operations, it certainly presented numerous opportunities to improve such a skill. Pilots quickly learn what works and what does not work in such situations.