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).
Installation of 40mm guns on Bristol Beaufighter and a new experimental bomber.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img006 | |
| Date | 20th November 1939 | |
| -2- It does not seem to be worth while carrying out this complete re-design until the experimental features of the turret have been proved. It was worth investigating, however, because if the turret turns out a complete success it will immediately be available for an aircraft which is in large production. When any re-design is undertaken the limitations of this particular turret can be considered. The Bristol Aviation Co. Beaufighter. Our 40 m.m. gun goes in the Beaufighter in place of the two 20 m.m. without difficulty. Mr. Fedden was anxious that you should write to Sir Stanley White telling him that two guns would be ready in February or March so that a machine might be allocated to the test. Mr. Friese is going to push on with the necessary design work. The Big Bomber. Bristol's are producing a big bomber experimentally which has two large turrets, one above and one below the fuselage, each at present designed to carry four 20 m.m. guns. The 40 m.m. takes the place of two 20 m.m. quite satisfactorily. They pointed out that from windage considerations the buffer and recuperator cylinder should be shortened. This seems to be a general requirement for any gun that is fitted into a turret, but was not emphasised by the Air Ministry in the specification laid down for the R.R. Gun. The machine is not expected to fly for 9 months or so, so that we cannot expect any immediate results from the turrets. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||