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).
Comparison of specifications for various machine guns and anti-tank rifles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img002 | |
| Date | 25th October 1939 | |
| - 2 - Ve/NP.1/CB.25.10.39 but the weapons listed below are those in use with the services at present :- Vickers Mark III, Naval Service (Water Cooled). Vickers Mark V, Land Service, for use in A.F.Vs.{J. Vickers} (Water Cooled). (The above guns have a rate of fire of about 500 rounds per minute and a weight of 63 pounds). B.E.S.A. 15, a 15 mm. gun (.59") of Czechoslovakian design, gas operated, firing 400 to 450 rounds per minute, having a weight of 110 lbs. This is being produced by the B.S.A. Co. at Redditch and supersedes the Vickers Mark V.{VIENNA} .55 Anti-tank rifle, a single shot weapon with a muzzle velocity of 2800 ft. per sec. and a weight of 36 pounds (this is interesting only in so far as the ammunition is standard and might be used as a basis for an aircraft gun). .5" Browning Aircraft Machine Gun. There are some of these in the country at present but we have no data. Although not in use in the British Service, the Scotti, 12.7 mm. (.5") is a very interesting weapon, made by Isotta Fraschini, having a muzzle velocity of 2460 ft. per sec. and a weight of 45 lbs., firing 800 rounds per minute. For comparison with the above, the existing .303 Browning guns of the type mounted in the Hurricane and Spitfire have a maximum weight of 22 1/4 pounds and a rate of fire of 1100 rounds per minute. Attached herewith is a summary of the information we require from the Air Ministry. Ve. | ||