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).
Letter to Hives detailing a meeting with Sir Hugh Dowding concerning the development of aircraft guns and flame traps.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img016 | |
| Date | 18th April 1940 | |
| COPY 18th.April, /40. Dear Hives, With regard to the matters discussed at my visit to Derby on the 10th., the following action has been taken. Guns. I had a two hour meeting yesterday with Sir Hugh Dowding, C. in C., Fighter Command, at which he gave me his personal views as to the most useful future lines of development in aircraft guns. Existing ½ inch guns tested against aircraft structures on the ground have shewn that penetration is not always sufficient. Sir H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} thinks that satisfactory penetration might be achieved with the ½ inch gun if muzzle velocity were increased to the region of 3000 f.s. and a steel bullet used, but this would have to be proved by experiment. Alternatively, a suitable compromise might be reached by producing a gun of a bore intermediate between the existing ½ inch and 20 mm. guns - say 16 mm. I pointed out that no standard ammunition exists for bores within this range but Sir H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} took the view that ammunition is produced for guns, and not guns for ammunition, and that for experiment enough ammunition could be quickly made up. He was very insistent that a decision as to bore could only be reached by a series of practical experiments with various bores against armour. I mentioned that R.R. had this in mind and were opening a range specially for experimental work. The most suitable form which such experiments should take was then discussed, and I made certain suggestions to Sir H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} which he agreed should give sufficiently conclusive results. A variety of other gunnery matters were discussed which it would probably be more convenient for me to mention when I next see you. Sir H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} stated that he would be prepared to take a personal interest in the experiments and in the project generally, which he considered a valuable effort. Flame Traps. As the result of the points raised by Elliott and Robotham, I got in touch with Clibbery of Messrs. Amal, who is now in contact with them on the problem. In this connection a new point, ( or | ||