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).
Meeting notes discussing the potential of 15 mm BESA ammunition and the development of a gas-operated gun.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img133 | |
| Date | 15th January 1941 | |
| - 3 - Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/ML.15.1.41. 5. 15 mm. BESA. Air Commodore Huskinson suggested that the 15 mm. BESA ammunition, which was at present being used in tanks, might give the additional penetration necessary. Ve. said there would be no particular difficulty in increasing the size of the .5" to cope with this ammunition and it was agreed that some samples and drawings should be sent up for his examination. In the meantime, tests are being carried out to compare the hitting power of this gun with that of the 20 mm. and further action will only be taken when the results of these tests are known. Ve. asked that when these tests are carried out, results should be obtained with different lengths of barrel. 6. GAS-OPERATED GUN. Drawings of this gun had been shown to Air Commodore Huskinson. He was asked whether a contract could be obtained for its development. He stated that this would have to be discussed with other people at the Admiralty before he could pass an opinion. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||