Battling in the Clouds

Cut 1910's by unknown maker, solid wood, semi-interlocking. This scene is of particular interest because of the machine gunner lying down on the French plane’s wing and firing at the pursuing German aircraft. The primitive aircraft and manner of shooting at the opponent’s aircraft suggest this is very early in the war long before the U.S. was involved. I have trouble imagining each time an enemy plane is sighted, the gunner climbing out onto the wing, setting up his machine gun and firing at the nearby enemy plane.  Talk about dangerous duty!  Is this scene for real?  Artist: Farse or smilar spelling.