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).
Secret memo discussing the design and issues with armour shields for a type BD Gun on an Oerlikon Mounting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 175\3\ img156 | |
| Date | 14th September 1940 | |
| SECRET. To [strikethrough]Vo[/strikethrough], from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/JH.14.9.40. re Armour Shields for type BD.{Mr Berend} Gun. Oerlikon Mounting. You will have received Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/JH.13.9.40. and a print of QPL.135 shewing the revised plate armour for the above gun. These have been set out strictly in accordance with the requirements of Lt. Cdr.{W. J. Chandler - Chief Clerk} Young as set out in Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/ML.11.9.40. and you are aware of our strong objections to the designs. Because the designs were ordered and in no way open to real modification by ourselves we saw no real purpose in bringing them to you for your criticisms. You will also have received Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/JH.13.9.40. and a print of QPL.134, the face shield, to which the remarks in the above paragraph are equally applicable. We were instructed to make the face shield about twice as deep, but were prevented from so doing, most fortunately by the body strap and the gunners firing arm. The one doubtful feature is the overhanging weight of 2 lbs. odd hanging off the side of the gun cradle at a point a long way from where it is braced at the top. Much will be learnt by the Naval Authorities about their stipulated requirements after they have tried to make them work during the service trials. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||