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).
The design specifications and modifications for a Face Armour Shield (Type BD) for a Naval Gun.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 175\3\ img151 | |
| Date | 13th September 1940 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Ve. (crossed out) c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} (crossed out) d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. (crossed out) e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation} (crossed out) re Face Armour Shield type BD.{Mr Berend} Naval Gun. On QPL.134 (original already sent to Mr. Hunt) we show the face shield for the gunner as requested by Lt. Comdr. Young. We can-not extend it down to shield the gunners waist as suggested because of the body sling and the arm operating the trigger handle. The weight of the shield as drawn is approximately 22 1/4 lbs. This is rather a heavy load to hang on to the side of the cradle. The cradle casting should be modified to add the extra supporting boss but any existing cradles can be dealt with in a manner shown in the bottom right hand corner of the scheme. This would be a temporary expedient. The ejector shield is modified from the original scheme on QPL.117. We have shown a 3 3/4" diameter hole in the armour plate and are aware that a 4" diameter would be demanded to cover all variations in sight adjustment and sight angles due to the velocity of the target. However, such a large hole as 4" diameter seems to render the shield very ineffective so we have struck the compromise. We understand that Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation} has approached the L.M. & S.R. with a view to their producing the shield armour and Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. only to detail these if they are not doing so. It will be necessary, however, for us to revise the ejector shield and all the necessary pieces for attaching the armour shield to the cradle. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Original already sent to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. Print to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation} Ve. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||