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 from Bristol Aeroplane Company regarding the installation of 40mm and 20mm guns in the Beaufighter aircraft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img154 | |
| Date | 27th March 1941 | |
| TELEGRAMS: BRISTAIRCO, BUSH, LONDON. CODES: WESTERN UNION. BENTLEY'S & A.B.C. THE BRISTOL AEROPLANE COMPANY LTD FILTON HOUSE, BRISTOL, ENG. SIR G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} STANLEY WHITE, BT{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer} (MANAGING DIRECTOR.) Your Ref. Our Ref. AIRCRAFT/EDO/F/133 27th March, 1941. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby. Dear Robotham, Thank you for the scheme drawings of the installation of the 40 mm. gun in Beaufighter. Our representative, Mr. Green, has just returned from Boscombe where he has been discussing our 20 mm. installation, and has also discussed with them the testing to be done on the 40 mm. installations, both of yours and Vickers'. They asked him to try and get Rolls and Vickers to use the same type of rear harmonising support that we use on our 20 mm. installation. I enclose a print of this just to indicate the type of fitting it is; as you will see, their preference is for the single adjustment instead of the double as you use. If you think it worth while to meet their wishes, I should suggest you try and work on these lines. You can, of course, have one of our units to adjust, although this may not be substantial enough. I also enclose a drawing giving the spacing of the bolt holes on the floor of the aircraft to which we attach the channels which take the front gun mounting. You may find it useful to be able to pick up these same holes for your installation. I do not know how closely you are working with Vickers, but of course you know that one of each of your guns is to be tried in the same aircraft. I will tell you the present situation with Vickers. We sent to them on Tuesday a damaged fuselage section to help them work out their installation. When this is finished, the damaged section will be sent back to Bristol and the gun installed in a Beaufighter to be allocated. I presume that with the Beaufighter available to you at Hucknall you will not need to go to these lengths to get your installation satisfactory. Actually, Vickers had several alternative types of feed that they wished to try and fit in. When it is convenient to you I should very much appreciate it if you would let our Mr. Green come up to Derby and see the gun installation. We are also very interested in your 40 mm. gun, and I should like one of our turret men to examine this at the same time, if you are agreeable. Yours sincerely, L G Frise Enc: 1 93554 2 92886 [Handwritten Note] Sent to E.W. c. of letter to V.K-Ed{J. L. Edwards} | ||