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).
Visit to the R.A.F. regarding the development of catapulting launching gear.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 175\2\ img004 | |
| Date | 19th October 1940 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Lp.{Mr Lappin} 2006 SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL. Pm.1/HL.19.10.40. LAUNCHING GEAR - R.A.F. We visited the Central Landing Establishment, R.A.F. Ringway, Manchester, on Tuesday, October 15th, at the request of Wing Commander Feather, in order to discuss some catapulting gear with him. A new unit has been formed recently, which is actively concerned with the ability to catapult machines into the air for various purposes. They have not got very far with their experiments so far and there appears to be an almost complete lack of data in their unit as to what they will ultimately require. They gave us some figures, however, of the machine size, the flying speed they wish to obtain, etc., and, by referring to some results which were produced by the Derbyshire Gliding Club, we have ascertained that they will need an engine of at least 150 h.p. to do the job. This means that there are only two car engines in existence, the Phantom III. and the 8-litre Bentley, which will do what is wanted with a reasonable factor of durability. Squadron Leader Buxton spoke as if they were quite prepared to commandeer all Phantom III's they could lay their hands on, if they found this engine was necessary to do the job. In order to give them a little more time to think matters over, however, and to ascertain how many launching gears they are likely to require, and also to enable them to get some accurate data on the specification for this gear, we have borrowed the biggest winch from the Derbyshire Gliding Club, and are putting this into running order and lending it to the R.A.F. At the same time we are getting out some rough schemes as to how we shall adapt the Phantom III engines to the job. As soon as a more definite request is put up to us, for either design or assembly work, we will let you know. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||