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).
Report discussing wartime tank design, costs, production rationalisation, and a proposal for a general-purpose tank based on the Mark VI.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\4\ scan0155 | |
| Date | 10th November 1940 | |
| - 2 - Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/ML.10.11.40. In war-time, the cost is of secondary importance. However, a high cost means high man-hours, which in turn means dissipation of the Nation's reserves. The cost of a tank is very astonishing because they are not allowed to use aluminium in it's construction. Since a big tank weighs about 35 tons it is probably fair to say that as much labour is required to make it as 22 Merlin engines, and this is one reason why production takes so long to get going. Another reason is that even in tanks which carry the same armament, there is little rationalisation. As an example, in the class of tank which carries a 2-pounder and 2 machine guns, there are four types of engine, three types of transmission and several varieties of track. 2. BEST TANK FOR RATIONALISATION. We do not feel that the light tank should be tackled first. It is in a better position than the heavy tank, being simpler and more reliable. We also have a feeling that there will be a swing-over to the wheeled vehicle, or armoured car, for this type of fighting equipment. The big tank is the one that is in the worst mess. It is said that the existing big tanks have a life of only 1,000 miles between overhauls. Of their cost, complication and diversity of design we have already spoken. Therefore Leyland's need any design help available. We picked, as the best of the big tanks, the Mark VI., at present fitted with a Liberty engine, crash gearbox and Wilson steering. It weighs 19 tons with light armour. It has as good fighting equipment as any tank in service. If it was fitted with a thickness of armour which is considered to be necessary for the heaviest type of vehicle, it would weigh 25 tons. It would then be a general purpose tank. With light armour it would be fast and mobile and with heavy armour it would be able to attack strongly defended positions. These two requirements at present cover the whole role of the big tank. - Continued - | ||