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).
Meeting notes from a discussion at the Admiralty regarding the production of the 40mm gun.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\3\ img038 | |
| Date | 22th August 1940 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/ML.22.8.40. NOTES ON A DISCUSSION ON THE 40 mm. GUN. at THE ADMIRALTY. Present : Admiral Fraser. Capt. Slayter. Capt. Allfrey. Capt. Green. Mr. Ashworth. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} I took some minutes of the Meeting which we had at the Admiralty on Tuesday, 20th, August. In view of some of Mr. Ashworth's remarks today, I suggest that the Admiralty should have our version of what was said, which was as follows :- 1. CONTRACT FOR 500 GUNS. Mr. Hives said that Rolls Royce could not accept a contract for guns for the Admiralty. However, he had sounded the B.U.S.M. of Leicester, and they had provisionally stated that they were willing to accept the order for 500 guns if they were given the necessary machine tools. The contract for the first twentyfive guns, the manufacture of which Rolls Royce were at present superintending, would have to be transferred to the B.U.S.M. 2. MACHINE TOOLS. Mr. Ashworth said that no machine tools would be forthcoming unless it was agreed that the Oerlikon programme could be interfered with. Admiral Fraser thought that this was not possible. 3. PRODUCTION OF 500 GUNS. It was agreed that the production of guns should continue at the rate of two per week, by "knife and fork" methods, while tools were being made. If possible, this production would be increased. - Continued - | ||