Tiger M,
Ever hear the expression "hook, line, sinker and compass"?
Actually you have re-discovered the first attempt at birdstrike protection. It was deleted on later models because they found that the aircraft couldn't actually catch up with any birds....
Or it may have been a sign of the times. There weren't so many aircraft around in those days so perhaps forward vision wasn't deemed so necessary. Also, with the total loss oil systems used in those early days, the windscreen (or the pilot's face and goggles) would be covered with castor oil shortly after takeoff so forward vision was much reduced anyway (castor oil has a laxative effect so there were other problems for the pilot!).
ShyT
