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).
Letter to John Howlett regarding the potential manufacture of gun parts and production targets.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\3\ img177 | |
| Date | 27th July 1940 | |
| 2d Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/Dn 27th July 1940, John Howlett, Esq., Wellworthy Piston Rings, LYMINGTON. (Hants) Dear Mr Howlett, I am sending you herewith drawings of the more difficult pieces of the Gun in order that you may examine them before Mr Blackstone comes down in the middle of next week, and form an opinion as to whether or not you can undertake the manu-facture of them. As you know, we have an order for 500 Sets, which may be increased at a later date. There is a question, however, at the moment as to whether we shall be allowed to make 500 Guns for the Navy with light alloy cradles and recuperating cylinders. We may have to substitute bronze for these parts. I do not know whether you would undertake the casting of bronze in your own foundry, but if not, we have an excellent man in Leicester who does a lot of stuff for the Admiralty. As a target, we should like to know if and when you would be able to build up production to 10 sets of parts per week, also what would be the maximum production you could attain without having to purchase new equipment. We are threatened with an order for a further 3000 Guns when the above are converted satisfactorily to automatic fire. Yours faithfully, | ||