Post by Diarist on Oct 12, 2020 22:13:36 GMT 1
I'd already warned Geoffrey that I would be bringing two Wehrmacht officers so they were to be shown our 650 hp tank engine so I could talk with Geoffrey alone. It was good to see him and Geoffrey Jr. again. They told me that the refinements were completed on the Hornet, the Mosquito would require another month.
"So you haven't flown the Mosquito yet?"
"No," Junior answered. "It can wait until we have optimized the Hornet. Any problems with that?"
"None at all. The Air Ministry is very enthusiastic about the Hornet especially when I mentioned the variants we had in mind. The unarmed reconnaissance version is very attractive."
"That one is easy to produce. Do you agree that the variants we discussed for the Mosquito should be considered for the Hornet instead if a co-pilot is not required?"
"My thoughts exactly, Geoffrey. Can you take care of procuring the cameras for the Photo Reconnaissance variant or do I need to get involved?"
"We can handle that, Bob. Any news about extra funds for a new production facility?"
"Can we afford that ourselves because I would prefer to use Government funds for personnel training facilities and avoid government interference in our production. I could get you a loan from the bank because I don't want to change our 50:50 relationship. Another possibility is that I could suggest a joint venture between Rolls Royce and myself to produce the Merlin's and the tank engine."
"I need to check our finances first then I'll get in touch with you."
"Good, and I'll mention the funding issue at the next meeting with the Air Ministry," I replied.
I brought up the idea of a 14-cylinder Merlin but Geoffrey quickly shot it down. They don't want to redesign the two aircraft. We went to find my German colleagues because it was approaching lunchtime and our date at the German restaurant.
"This will be for the tank after the Cruiser?" Erich asked.
"Yes, the Panzer Mk IV. with the 3" anti-tank gun."
"And that's the same gun you plan using for the Cruiser Tank-Hunter?"
"That's correct. In fact I'm hoping we can use your 88mm gun for the Tank-Hunter Mk IV. Are you familiar with the gun, Erich?"
"I am. It's a good gun but I never considered it as a tank gun."
"We need to work on special ammunition for it."
"We are discussing a dual-purpose gun for Flak as well?"
"Why not? It'll need a special gun-carriage but we don't need an anti-aircraft tank armed with the 88mm gun, do we?"
We all laughed at that. We said our farewells then headed back to London.
"So you haven't flown the Mosquito yet?"
"No," Junior answered. "It can wait until we have optimized the Hornet. Any problems with that?"
"None at all. The Air Ministry is very enthusiastic about the Hornet especially when I mentioned the variants we had in mind. The unarmed reconnaissance version is very attractive."
"That one is easy to produce. Do you agree that the variants we discussed for the Mosquito should be considered for the Hornet instead if a co-pilot is not required?"
"My thoughts exactly, Geoffrey. Can you take care of procuring the cameras for the Photo Reconnaissance variant or do I need to get involved?"
"We can handle that, Bob. Any news about extra funds for a new production facility?"
"Can we afford that ourselves because I would prefer to use Government funds for personnel training facilities and avoid government interference in our production. I could get you a loan from the bank because I don't want to change our 50:50 relationship. Another possibility is that I could suggest a joint venture between Rolls Royce and myself to produce the Merlin's and the tank engine."
"I need to check our finances first then I'll get in touch with you."
"Good, and I'll mention the funding issue at the next meeting with the Air Ministry," I replied.
I brought up the idea of a 14-cylinder Merlin but Geoffrey quickly shot it down. They don't want to redesign the two aircraft. We went to find my German colleagues because it was approaching lunchtime and our date at the German restaurant.
"This will be for the tank after the Cruiser?" Erich asked.
"Yes, the Panzer Mk IV. with the 3" anti-tank gun."
"And that's the same gun you plan using for the Cruiser Tank-Hunter?"
"That's correct. In fact I'm hoping we can use your 88mm gun for the Tank-Hunter Mk IV. Are you familiar with the gun, Erich?"
"I am. It's a good gun but I never considered it as a tank gun."
"We need to work on special ammunition for it."
"We are discussing a dual-purpose gun for Flak as well?"
"Why not? It'll need a special gun-carriage but we don't need an anti-aircraft tank armed with the 88mm gun, do we?"
We all laughed at that. We said our farewells then headed back to London.