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).
Notes on a visit by Sir John Salmon and Mr. MacDonald regarding 13.2 mm and 40 mm gun production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\3\ img007 | |
| Date | 1st July 1940 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} SECRET. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/IL.1.7.40. NOTES ON VISIT OF SIR JOHN SALMON AND MR. MACDONALD. ON SATURDAY JUNE 29th. 1940. 13.2 mm. GUN. The main purpose of this visit was to urge the production of the Rolls Royce half inch gun. Sir John and Mr. MacDonald were given the opportunity of examining the breech block and various other pieces of this weapon and were told that it was expected to be complete for its trials during the next six weeks. They stressed the extreme need for urgency. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} pointed out that no facilities for manufacturing the gun exist in this country unless some existing plant was taken off .303 work. Under the circumstances we were endeavouring to get quotations for parts to be made in America. Sir John remarked that part of the existing plant might be able to be diverted from the .303 when the half inch had proved itself to be satisfactory. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} emphasized that we should want to make the gun without too many restrictions from the C.I.C. The first gun will be 13.2 and not half inch owing to the fact that no half inch ammunition is at present available. 40 mm. GUN. The 40 mm. gun was demonstrated fired from the shoulder. Sir John did not show any marked interest in this weapon but promised to give the necessary material release for 25 guns. He was unable to tell us whom to contact with regard to finding the optimum method of handling the gun. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||