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).
Secret report detailing the results and issues from gun trials on M.A./S.B. No: 19.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 175\3\ img297 | |
| Date | 31th December 1940 | |
| COPY. SECRET. To:- Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Bm. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} No: 738/X.1245/4. H.M.S. EXCELLENT, PORTSMOUTH. 31st. December, 1940. M.A./S.B. No: 19. REPORT OF GUN TRIALS. Be pleased to inform their Lordships that the gun trials of M.A./S.B. No: 19 were carried out on Saturday, 28th. December, 1940. The 0.5 inch guns were satisfactory; the 2 pdr. Mark XIV. gun was unsatisfactory. Arrangements have been made for a further trial. 2. None of the guns had been prepared for firing. The 0.5 inch guns were heavily greased and the 2 pdr. was very dry and dusty. No sight test had been carried out and the 2 pdr sights were distorted and damaged. It is understood that the guns and mountings had been installed by the British Power Boat Co., and had not been inspected by any representatives of the Director of Armament Supply or the Gun Mounting Overseer. 3. With reference to Para. 7 of H.M.S.'s EXCELLENT's No: 681/X.1245/4 of 18th. December, 1940, it is evident that guns and mountings are being installed at Hythe without skilled assistance or adequate inspection, with the result that defects are not discovered until gun trials and that time is wasted because these defects necessitate a second gun trial. 0.5 inch Firing Trials. 4. After both guns had been stripped, cleaned and lubricated, a satisfactory firing was carried out. The vibration at low angles of sight was serious and necessitated firing in short bursts, but as these mountings will shortly be replaced by one power operated twin turret, it is recommended that this should be accepted. 2 pdr. Mark XIV. trials. 5. Round No: 1. fired correctly, recoil 16.5 inches. When loading round No: 2. the breech failed to go right forward, but the round was loaded successfully after cleaning and oiling the guide ways. This round fired correctly, followed by a third round. The fourth round again failed to load because the breech would not go right home. 6. Stripping and examination showed that the extractor was binding and that the firing case was very sticky inside the block. A representative of Messrs Rolls Royce Ltd., was present and arrangements were made for him to carry out a complete examination of the breech mechanism and correct any faults found. - Continued - | ||