From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Capability and availability of rifle boring machines for 13.2mm barrels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\3\ img138 | |
| Date | 27th June 1940 | |
| HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 2b Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/ML.27.6.40. RIFLE BORING. With reference to the copy of a note received from Glasgow and which is given below. Could you say whether you expect this machine to :- 1. Successfully bore a 13.2 mm. barrel. 2. Could it without difficulty be adapted to rifling the same barrel? Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} COPY. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}: Ryc.1/Mc.24.6.40. Rifle Boring. We have two rifle borers (No.1½ Pratt & Whitney) and a third about due, I understand. The bed is 18' long; the drill holding saddle about 18"-2'; it would swing round about 6" or 8" diameter. The chucks driving the barrel are rather weak and would not, I think, drill the 2" hole; they could probably be adapted. I think we shall have one of these machines spare for some months. They have two driving spindles to drill two barrels at once. I suggest that you ask Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}'s permission either to borrow a machine or to send the barrels up here. It would be better if you father the job, and if you send barrels up here you ought to send your own operator, otherwise there will be a lot of delay because this or that bit of tackle will not be available and won't be urged in. Ryc. | ||