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).
Letter discussing the trial of a .5' gas operating weapon as a .55' calibre and the associated ammunition supply issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img209 | |
| Date | 12th July 1941 | |
| c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 2044 C O P Y. D.D.Arm.D.(G). 12th July, 1941. Dear Mr. Viale, Thank you for your letter of the 8th July concerning the development of your .5" gas operating weapon, and your desire to try it out as a .55". I see no objection to this latter trial, but unless some enormous advantage accrues from it, we should be very loathe to turn over to the .55" calibre, as it entails the development of a complete range of tracer, incendiary and ball ammunition. Our ammunition programme is already full, so you can understand that we are not anxious to take on any new commitments unless they show some real advance. A changeover to the .55" calibre would also, of course, complicate the supply position. We shall therefore be very interested to hear what results you get from your trial of .55", and I should be glad if you would let me know the results at the earliest possible date so that we can stop the experiment if it does not appear to be worth while. Yours sincerely, C.N.H. BILNEY. Mr. S.M. Viale, Chief Engineer, Armaments Division, Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. | ||