Post by Diarist on May 26, 2016 8:44:59 GMT 1
Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister and his staff arrived punctually and were greeted by General Gort and myself. After our guests had signed in we led them to the conference room and I introduced our team.
"AVM Freeman is Head of the Aviation Section here and will be chairing this meeting; he is assisted by A/Cdre Baldwin. Henry Tizard heads the RADAR Research team and John Mitchell is Head of the Aviation Division at Vickers-Armstrong. We have prepared an agenda, please feel free to add further items, Sir Philip."
AVM Freeman first addressed the aircraft being designed as fighters. "There are five models from five companies and all will require the Merlin engine, the V-12 engine from Rolls-Royce, and all should have their maiden flight within the next six months. The Boulton-Paul design will be recommended for rejection but the other designs are very promising. The Merlin C will begin evaluation trials before the end of this year and two dozen examples have already been ordered by de Havilland, Hawker, Supermarine and Westland. They are scheduled for delivery in January '36. The Supermarine design is destined for the interceptor role whereas the other three could also be used as a fighter-bomber or in the ground-support role."
"You said that four are very promising. Could you elaborate?" ACM Ellington asked.
"I've seen all four designs, sir, and I am confident they will be the mainstay of our air defences for a decade and beyond. They will evolve as new technologies become available. The two single-engine aircraft can also be adapted into carrier aircraft."
"Good, how about bombers. We still have nothing to replace the Heyford's." Sir Philip said.
"We have the Boeing B-17 a four-engine bomber which had its maiden flight earlier this year. The US Army Air Corps has already placed 65 on order for $100,000 but we believe the order is premature. Several improvements are planned. Then there is the Vickers Type 271, a very promising night-bomber. A larger day-bomber version is being developed parallel. Both designs are waiting for engines being developed by Bristol. These three designs will develop over the years into formidable aircraft, that I am sure of, sir."
John Mitchell then talked about the expansion plans of Vickers-Armstrong and that public money being offered could better be used for training centres. Building cars is much easier than building aircraft. The workers will need considerable extra training. He gave Sir Philip a copy of their proposal. Henry Tizard's presentation confirmed that it is too early to commit themselves to anything concrete but with the progress being made they hope to have something deployable in 1938.
"How about an airborne version?" I asked.
"That's possible but ask me again in 1938."
We covered everything they had wanted to discuss except our requirements for the FTX. "I've already reserved the 70th Squadron. Any problems there, Air Chief Marshall?"
"No. They already have their new aircraft and you'll have them at Duxford as planned."
"Thank you sir. The other two squadrons will probably be with Hawker Hinds. Are the Victoria's to be upgraded to Valentia's?"
"Yes."
"Would you save money if they were only converted to the transport role? If so, save the money, sir. The bomber will be soon obsolete."
"Not in the Near East or India. Our priority will be here in Europe."
"Probably SE Asia too, sir. The Japanese are developing modern designs."
"Unfortunately that is true, major."
"Then I have one more question, sir. Which airfields are we allowed to use during the FTX?"
"Any RAF station which is in range."
The Red forces too then?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, sir."
With that our first presentation was over.