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).
Confidential memo discussing the installation of a 40 m.m. automatic gun in the Beaufighter aircraft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img091 | |
| Date | 26th September 1940 | |
| CONFIDENTIAL. 5 To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/JH.26.9.40. re 40 m.m. Gun in the Beaufighter. I spoke to Ve. on the telephone this morning re the installation of the 40 m.m. automatic gun in the Beaufighter. He says that the automatic feed mechanism which he would use would be that of his design, which is now working satisfactorily with the gun on its side. I believe he said that two magazines have been fired with success. He contends that this feed mechanism with the gun on its side is the more suitable for this particular installation. Only slight strengthening is required to make it satisfactory. He suggests we keep the present trunnions which are on the barrel centre line to deal with the main load and that the out of balance reaction fixing be placed at the forward end of the cradle, in preference to the rear, since the rear end is rather congested with gun fittings. The main trunnion will have to be provided with universal action, and the forward reaction-fixing will be provided with two adjustments at right angles to allow of the guns being harmonised. | ||