Danny,42C, trying to hit a very light ballon with an aircraft is very different from blasting away with cannon or machine guns , an aircraft will push a lot of air and cause something a light as a ballon to move out of the way, fifty call rounds do not telegraph their impending arrival. Regardles of this, S/Ldr Star, the C.O. of 253 Sqdn RAF was killed whilst descending by parachute on the 31 of August 1940, this is very well documented, when I can dig my way through the snow to the building in which my papers are stored I can provide you with many more examples, also will be visiting my brother in law in the UK next month who has extensive records and memories of the cause of death of may of the aircrew he dug up, a grim task indeed.