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).
Gun trials detailing performance, stoppages, and specific test incidents.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img191 | |
| Date | 20th May 1941 | |
| -2- Ve.7/CB.20.5.41. 80° Elevation - atmospheric. 23 rounds. 80° Depression - atmospheric. 62 " 80° Elevation - -10°F.{Mr Friese} 15 " 80° Depression - -10°F.{Mr Friese} 9 " Sand test. 9 " To test Body and Sear. 17 rounds. The trial was concluded by firing 11 rounds of Mark VIII ammunition to demonstrate that the gun is capable of firing this ammunition with very slight modification. Stoppages were as follows :- Ejection. - 6 Failure of Pusher Gear. - 5 Short recoil. - 5 Misfires and double fires. - 7 Breech failing to close. - 6 Hopper feed. - 1 On the 8th May, after firing 96 rounds, the Separator in the Hopper Feed failed to index. The round to be fed was presented to the Pusher in a false position with the result that there was a bad jam in which the Pusher Gear and Body were broken. A spare Pusher Gear being available and repairs to the Body being possible, it was decided to repair the gun and continue the trial. This work was completed on the 10th, but firing was not resumed until Monday the 12th. The sand trials were particularly arduous. Instead of the gun being left with the Breech closed before large quantities of sand were blown over the mechanism, the Breech was left open. The accumulated sand prevented the Breech closing on the first round, but after recharging, it was cleared and fired a burst of 8 rounds. continued. | ||