Post by Diarist on Jun 17, 2016 10:43:02 GMT 1
Just in time for lunch I had completed my report about this week's visits to various aircraft manufacturers. I forwarded a copy to Sir Philip at the Air Ministry and included a suggestion that government funding could be used to hire extra apprentices for training within the factories to facilitate a later expansion. I then made my way to the Annex to meet MAJ Shepherd (ret.) who I have invited as a infantry weapons expert.
He had not yet arrived so I had time to inspect the Finnish KP/-31 SMG. It is supposedly one of the best SMG's but like the THompson it is expensive and complicated to produce and maintain. It feels about the same weight as the Thompson but is slightly longer. While the Thompson uses 45 ACP ammunition the KP uses 9x19mm parabellum.
MAJ Shepherd arrived just after 11:30 and I introduced him to COL Wilkins. We went to the office where we had both weapons and he confirmed that they were both fine weapons. He'd never held the Finnish weapon before but he was no stranger to the Thompson.
"This is the M1928 that can take both the stick and drum magazine, correct?"
"Yes, but we only have the 30-round stick magazines."
Sally entered the room with a message for me and was looking inquisitively at me. "Which one do you use?" she asked.
"This one, the Thompson."
"I was in Eritrea and Libya last month and these SMG's gave us a decisive advantage over the Italian defenders. Add on a Lewis LMG and a squad has the firepower of a regular infantry platoon," I explained to our guest.
"I can well imagine that," he commented.
"The table for lunch is reserved but I need to know how many people."
"Us two plus MAJ Shepherd," I replied. "I hope you have brought your appetite with you," I said to him.
At lunch I explained that the army still isn't too fond of automatic infantry weapons for each individual soldier because of the amount of ammunition which would be used. That is why I am suggesting a private venture. Design a weapon then present it to the War Office for evaluation.
"Would you come out of retirement and put together a team to design two weapons?" I asked.
"In principle yes but I'd like to hear more details first."
"First, you don't have to worry about funding. I have the necessary money and can also provide facilities and materials. How many people would you need?" I asked.
"For the team just one or two but we would need the support of a workshop to produce the individual pieces."
"I have access to Vickers workshops around the country. Where would you prefer to set up shop?"
"Birmingham area?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. Now the two weapons I am looking for."
Over the next 90 minutes we talked about the designs. I emphasized the need for ease of manufacture using cheap materials where possible. One would be an SMG using the 9x19mm parabellum, the other an assault rifle using an intermediate cartridge, the 7.92×39mm or similar. It would combine the firepower of a submachine gun with the range and accuracy of a rifle. "I call it a Squad Assault Weapon or SAW."
We agreed to meet again in November after the training exercise. In the meantime he would select a second and maybe a third person. That went down well. Sally had been making notes and she will type up a Memorandum of Understanding for both parties.
He had not yet arrived so I had time to inspect the Finnish KP/-31 SMG. It is supposedly one of the best SMG's but like the THompson it is expensive and complicated to produce and maintain. It feels about the same weight as the Thompson but is slightly longer. While the Thompson uses 45 ACP ammunition the KP uses 9x19mm parabellum.
MAJ Shepherd arrived just after 11:30 and I introduced him to COL Wilkins. We went to the office where we had both weapons and he confirmed that they were both fine weapons. He'd never held the Finnish weapon before but he was no stranger to the Thompson.
"This is the M1928 that can take both the stick and drum magazine, correct?"
"Yes, but we only have the 30-round stick magazines."
Sally entered the room with a message for me and was looking inquisitively at me. "Which one do you use?" she asked.
"This one, the Thompson."
"I was in Eritrea and Libya last month and these SMG's gave us a decisive advantage over the Italian defenders. Add on a Lewis LMG and a squad has the firepower of a regular infantry platoon," I explained to our guest.
"I can well imagine that," he commented.
"The table for lunch is reserved but I need to know how many people."
"Us two plus MAJ Shepherd," I replied. "I hope you have brought your appetite with you," I said to him.
At lunch I explained that the army still isn't too fond of automatic infantry weapons for each individual soldier because of the amount of ammunition which would be used. That is why I am suggesting a private venture. Design a weapon then present it to the War Office for evaluation.
"Would you come out of retirement and put together a team to design two weapons?" I asked.
"In principle yes but I'd like to hear more details first."
"First, you don't have to worry about funding. I have the necessary money and can also provide facilities and materials. How many people would you need?" I asked.
"For the team just one or two but we would need the support of a workshop to produce the individual pieces."
"I have access to Vickers workshops around the country. Where would you prefer to set up shop?"
"Birmingham area?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. Now the two weapons I am looking for."
Over the next 90 minutes we talked about the designs. I emphasized the need for ease of manufacture using cheap materials where possible. One would be an SMG using the 9x19mm parabellum, the other an assault rifle using an intermediate cartridge, the 7.92×39mm or similar. It would combine the firepower of a submachine gun with the range and accuracy of a rifle. "I call it a Squad Assault Weapon or SAW."
We agreed to meet again in November after the training exercise. In the meantime he would select a second and maybe a third person. That went down well. Sally had been making notes and she will type up a Memorandum of Understanding for both parties.