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).
Report from mechanic Morley detailing damage and repairs to a 40 m/m Type 'BD' Naval Gun.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 175\3\ img285 | |
| Date | 28th December 1940 | |
| To- [illegible] from HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} Ra. 3 HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}6/VS.{J. Vickers}28.12.40. 40 m/m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Type 'BD{Mr Berend}' Naval Gun No.S.4872. We give below copy of our mechanic Morley's report following his recent visit to Fort William in this connection. "On investigation of complaints made concerning the above gun installed in H.M.S. St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Christopher, it was found that the loading tray shaft was in a badly damaged condition as a result of the use of a heavy hammer in an endeavour to remove the loading tray. Other components such as the barrel and breech block had also been removed and incorrectly re-assembled. "It was also found that the recoil buffers in the cradle slides were damaged due to over recoiling as the result of insufficient recuperator air pressure. "The gun was stripped in order to effect the necessary repairs, and subsequently re-assembled. Firing trials were then carried out, but the first round failed to eject and on examination of the internal surface of the chamber this proved to be very badly rusted and pitted, which was sufficient to prevent easy extraction of the case. "When this was brought to the notice of the officer in command of the boat, he complained that the lack of suitable provision for protecting exposed parts of the gun against sea water was responsible." HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} | ||