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).
Progress report on the production of 40 m/m guns, detailing machinery, prints, and communications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\4\ img072 | |
| Date | 18th October 1940 | |
| EXTRACT FROM...... OY 1/D/Oct:18.40. Serial No: 224. T.........Guns. We have gone ahead with the Pratt & Whitney drilling, reaming, and rifling machines for the 40 m/m barrel. These are almost finished. Nothing else has been done. The honing machine and Monarch lathe for the o.d. were not ordered. We received the 7 prints of page 1 of Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}1/ML.30.9.40. and took these, with the wood model of the breech block and ring for the 40 m/m gun, down to Capt. DeVore, in charge of gun purchases at the B.P.C. I did this because we had been stopped, but I imagined the B.P.C. might get orders from the Admiralty to proceed. Sir Henry Self did not think I ought to have done this without instructions, but I told him that I had been stopped on the job and did not want to hold the baby since his lap was bigger than mine. Apparently, this particular size is urgently required by England and the U.S.A. Self said that he would see what he could find out about it. Have heard nothing since. I also received the wood model of breech block and ring on the small gun. Have done nothing with this. The only drawing on this I received was the arrangement drawing QA.1192.. Original of this has also been handed to DeVore for his information, and no photo-stat copies have been made except one for A.J.M.Baker at the Purchasing Commission. I ascertained that the United Shoe Machinery Co., existed at Beverley, Massachussetts, and was all ready to get after them as soon as prints arrived. But no prints have come. I am still in doubt as to whether some one is going to make the 40 m/m gun here or not. But will see DeVore in New York on Saturday. He shows no interest in new designs of half inch guns. Apparently these are so numerous over here you can pick them off the trees. We have definitely failed to receive the gun prints listed in - Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}10/JMS.21.7.40. and Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation} 10/WMS.2.7.40. Were these ever actually despatched to us? P.T.O. | ||