Post by Diarist on Dec 9, 2018 11:32:06 GMT 1
Our visit to the BMW went well. They were eager to exchange information and I had no problems telling them about the problems we have experienced. They have a very good nine-cylinder engine, the BMW 132, being used in the Ju-52/m and similar aircraft. They are now developing a two row 18-cylinder version. The idea of using a radial engine in a fighter is new to them. Afterwards Prinz Rupprecht, Freiherr von Richthofen and I went to the Bürgerbräukeller. The famous Bierhalle from where Adolf Hitler launched the Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923.
After we had a table and had been served food and drinks (I had naturally ordered a Löwenbräu Bier) Rupprecht asked if I had learnt anything useful.
"We appear to have the same level of development with similar problems," I answered. "We also use liquid sodium coolant but not fuel injection. I guess our sleeve-valve design does the same. I'm not quite sure what that is actually, I'm not an engineer, but Bristol is putting a lot of faith in this technology."
"What can you tell us about Bramo, von Richthofen?" Rupprecht asked.
"They also have a nine-cylinder engine, Model 322, but it has reliability problems. The firm is undergoing reorganization at the moment but they are confident that they can resolve the problems. Do you want to visit them too, Sir Robert?"
"Indeed I do. I'm looking for a business partner - a joint-venture with a German firm."
"Isn't that a bit premature? Nothing has been signed yet."
"Just because we haven't signed a non-aggression pact it doesn't mean that we intend going to war. Also economic agreements don't need to wait for the politicians to get their act together. General von Weichs has already shown great interest in using our 57mm tank gun in the Panzer III. I can imagine there will be no problem to build a licenced version here in Germany."
"Would your Merlin be available for licensed production?"
"If you want to manufacture one of our aircraft designs you would need to license produce it because we don't have enough production capacity to export the engine. The Hurricane fighter will be available for export later this year."
"Any other aircraft available?"
"None planned. Actually I'm recommending that we stop producing biplanes so that we can free up production capacity for new aircraft. The only exception will aircraft specifically designed to be trainers."
"I'm still confused with your organization structure. You work in the Ministry of Defence but you are making decisions which our Air Ministry would normally make," von Richthofen commented.
"Our Air Ministry is subordinate to the Ministry of Defence and we decide whether we have the resources to produce the new designs or whether we can divert resources from another project. Manufacturers that don't have a modern design will be required to produce aircraft designed by a different firm. Germany has more production capacity than Britain so I imagine that this is not a problem for you."
"We have a lack of good designs at the moment. Some are very promising but they are still being developed."
"Most of ours are on the drawing board too. I cancelled one design because its requirement was to be able to bomb Paris. I told them that we need one that can bomb Berlin not Paris. The aircraft would have been obsolete before it could be ready for operations."
"Do you want me accompany you to Bramo."
"I would welcome it. Do you have any objections to an Anglo-German business deal?"
"In principal I have no objections. We are discussing the development of an engine for both the Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force."
"Of course, but in the UK we are primarily looking at an engine for carrier aircraft and Germany doesn't have aircraft carriers."
"Admiral Raeder wants aircraft carriers for the Kriegsmarine."
"A ridiculous idea. He should concentrate on controlling the Ostsee as I mentioned in Berlin last month."
"You were right, Bob. Your comments did upset him."
"Germany needs to concentrate on defeating the Soviets and defending your eastern neighbours against them. Hopefully General Blomberg will bring him back to reality."
"That remains to be seen. Have you finished here, Bob."
"Yes, Rupprecht. Let me pay the bill. I'm on company expenses."
"So you are not here on official business?" Freiherr von Richthofen asked.
"No. I'm here for business. Let's have another round. The bank is paying."
After we had a table and had been served food and drinks (I had naturally ordered a Löwenbräu Bier) Rupprecht asked if I had learnt anything useful.
"We appear to have the same level of development with similar problems," I answered. "We also use liquid sodium coolant but not fuel injection. I guess our sleeve-valve design does the same. I'm not quite sure what that is actually, I'm not an engineer, but Bristol is putting a lot of faith in this technology."
"What can you tell us about Bramo, von Richthofen?" Rupprecht asked.
"They also have a nine-cylinder engine, Model 322, but it has reliability problems. The firm is undergoing reorganization at the moment but they are confident that they can resolve the problems. Do you want to visit them too, Sir Robert?"
"Indeed I do. I'm looking for a business partner - a joint-venture with a German firm."
"Isn't that a bit premature? Nothing has been signed yet."
"Just because we haven't signed a non-aggression pact it doesn't mean that we intend going to war. Also economic agreements don't need to wait for the politicians to get their act together. General von Weichs has already shown great interest in using our 57mm tank gun in the Panzer III. I can imagine there will be no problem to build a licenced version here in Germany."
"Would your Merlin be available for licensed production?"
"If you want to manufacture one of our aircraft designs you would need to license produce it because we don't have enough production capacity to export the engine. The Hurricane fighter will be available for export later this year."
"Any other aircraft available?"
"None planned. Actually I'm recommending that we stop producing biplanes so that we can free up production capacity for new aircraft. The only exception will aircraft specifically designed to be trainers."
"I'm still confused with your organization structure. You work in the Ministry of Defence but you are making decisions which our Air Ministry would normally make," von Richthofen commented.
"Our Air Ministry is subordinate to the Ministry of Defence and we decide whether we have the resources to produce the new designs or whether we can divert resources from another project. Manufacturers that don't have a modern design will be required to produce aircraft designed by a different firm. Germany has more production capacity than Britain so I imagine that this is not a problem for you."
"We have a lack of good designs at the moment. Some are very promising but they are still being developed."
"Most of ours are on the drawing board too. I cancelled one design because its requirement was to be able to bomb Paris. I told them that we need one that can bomb Berlin not Paris. The aircraft would have been obsolete before it could be ready for operations."
"Do you want me accompany you to Bramo."
"I would welcome it. Do you have any objections to an Anglo-German business deal?"
"In principal I have no objections. We are discussing the development of an engine for both the Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force."
"Of course, but in the UK we are primarily looking at an engine for carrier aircraft and Germany doesn't have aircraft carriers."
"Admiral Raeder wants aircraft carriers for the Kriegsmarine."
"A ridiculous idea. He should concentrate on controlling the Ostsee as I mentioned in Berlin last month."
"You were right, Bob. Your comments did upset him."
"Germany needs to concentrate on defeating the Soviets and defending your eastern neighbours against them. Hopefully General Blomberg will bring him back to reality."
"That remains to be seen. Have you finished here, Bob."
"Yes, Rupprecht. Let me pay the bill. I'm on company expenses."
"So you are not here on official business?" Freiherr von Richthofen asked.
"No. I'm here for business. Let's have another round. The bank is paying."