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 from Bristol Aeroplane Company regarding the installation of a 40mm gun in a Beaufighter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 176\1\ img126 | |
| Date | 2nd December 1940 | |
| COPY OF LETTER FROM :- BRISTOL AEROPLANE COMPANY, LIMITED., FILTON HOUSE, BRISTOL. Tech/D/F/40/201. W.A.Robotham,Esq., Rolls Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Robotham, 40 mm. gun in Beaufighter. We have studied your drawing QPL.154 sent with your letter of 29th. Oct: and would make the following comments: firstly in reply to your specific enquiries :- a) We have prepared and enclose a copy of drg. K.9124, giving the information you require. b) The space above the gun bay at "L" is clear for approx: 12" above datum except for the pipes running along the starboard side, and which we have indicated on drg. K.9124. These could of course be repositioned. c) With the present structure it is not possible to extend the shape of the gun bay at the point "P" beyond the limit shown on our drawing, but if the minimum requirement is indicated, we shall no doubt be able to meet it by alteration. d) The floor space on which the gun loader may sit extends rearward to former 124. By fitting a suitable lining it should be possible to collect the carrier plates in the keel. The point at which the plates enter the keel appears, from your drawing, to be exactly opposite the run of flying cables and therefore, be necessary to alter the run of these cables and to protect them from ejected plates. It is allowed to eject the empty cartridge cases to earth through the underside of the removable gun doors. The mounting plates shown at G-G on your drg. are for the 20 mm. gun and would of course be replaced by a suitable housing for your spherical mounting. | ||