Post by Diarist on Aug 1, 2016 7:19:37 GMT 1
The headquarters and main production facilities of Hawker Aviation are in Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey, west of London. We were greeted by Harry Sopwith and Sydney Camm. I had already hinted on the telephone that I would be bringing good news so they were full of anticipation.
"We are here for two reasons. One, the Hurricane fighter. How is it progressing? Hopefully you are just waiting for the Merlin engine."
"That pretty much sums it up."
"Have you thought about using a de Havilland variable pitch propeller?"
"Yes, but not for the prototype. We've also selected the two cannon, four MG option for armament."
"I like that configuration too. The second reason is the Wright R-2600 engine. We can import 30 per month but I have only ordered six which will be shipped to Gloster Aircraft. Now we need aircraft designs. AM Spec. F 5/34 will be rewritten and your Gloster F.5/34 needs to changed to accommodate the new engine. The R-2600 is twice as heavy as the Mercury, a good foot longer but the diameter is only 4" wider."
"That shouldn't present a problem. It's a carrier-aircraft and will need folding wings?"
"Yes, the FAA has priority but we should privately consider a land-based version for the RAF. We are talking about a fighter that should easily achieve 400 mph. It'll be larger than the Hurricane and should be able to carry more fuel."
"What about the Gladiator. Does it still have priority?"
"No. Build the first order for 23 aircraft. They can be used as advanced trainers. They 2nd order for 180 aircraft has been cancelled."
"We'll need that in writing." I gave them a memorandum.
"You'll be receiving official confirmation from the Air Ministry later this week. Can we take a look at your Hawker Henley?"
"Of course." It was only half built. No undercarriage and no engine, (another Merlin candidate).
"This needs to be redesigned as a pure dive-bomber, that is as an aircraft that can do a near-vertical dive fitted with dive brakes; bomb crutches; specialised bomb sights; a semi-automatic bomb release and dive termination system. Can we have the project transferred to Gloster? After all, they are the naval aircraft experts."
"We can do that. Here we can concentrate on the Hurricane."
"We also need a torpedo-bomber version. That should be easier than the dive-bomber variant. With a bit of luck we can get contracts for all three aircraft. Could you send people from Hawker to enlarge their design teams?"
"That can also be arranged, We can hire more people too. All six engines are going to Gloster?"
"Yes they are. The Air Ministry might take a couple for evaluation but we can order more."
"We should order another six engines."
"Let us make a phone call. Edward, since you are the Project Officer could you call John at that number he gave you and have him change the order to twelve engines, please?"
"Will do. Which telephone can I use, gentlemen?"
"Did John Mitchell talk to you about the expansion and government-funded 'cheap' labour?"
"Yes he did and we are busy working on it."
"You should be receiving documentation from the Air Ministry by the end of next week."
We left Hawker with a good feeling. "We have a reason to celebrate this evening. We also need to talk about the party on the 16th at Windsor Castle."
"Everything is being organized. I just need a guest list."
"Sally and Mum have been working on that."
"Until this evening then. I have to type a summary of today's business for Churchill and the General. Then I'm heading to TRADOC, hopefully with Sally."
"We are here for two reasons. One, the Hurricane fighter. How is it progressing? Hopefully you are just waiting for the Merlin engine."
"That pretty much sums it up."
"Have you thought about using a de Havilland variable pitch propeller?"
"Yes, but not for the prototype. We've also selected the two cannon, four MG option for armament."
"I like that configuration too. The second reason is the Wright R-2600 engine. We can import 30 per month but I have only ordered six which will be shipped to Gloster Aircraft. Now we need aircraft designs. AM Spec. F 5/34 will be rewritten and your Gloster F.5/34 needs to changed to accommodate the new engine. The R-2600 is twice as heavy as the Mercury, a good foot longer but the diameter is only 4" wider."
"That shouldn't present a problem. It's a carrier-aircraft and will need folding wings?"
"Yes, the FAA has priority but we should privately consider a land-based version for the RAF. We are talking about a fighter that should easily achieve 400 mph. It'll be larger than the Hurricane and should be able to carry more fuel."
"What about the Gladiator. Does it still have priority?"
"No. Build the first order for 23 aircraft. They can be used as advanced trainers. They 2nd order for 180 aircraft has been cancelled."
"We'll need that in writing." I gave them a memorandum.
"You'll be receiving official confirmation from the Air Ministry later this week. Can we take a look at your Hawker Henley?"
"Of course." It was only half built. No undercarriage and no engine, (another Merlin candidate).
"This needs to be redesigned as a pure dive-bomber, that is as an aircraft that can do a near-vertical dive fitted with dive brakes; bomb crutches; specialised bomb sights; a semi-automatic bomb release and dive termination system. Can we have the project transferred to Gloster? After all, they are the naval aircraft experts."
"We can do that. Here we can concentrate on the Hurricane."
"We also need a torpedo-bomber version. That should be easier than the dive-bomber variant. With a bit of luck we can get contracts for all three aircraft. Could you send people from Hawker to enlarge their design teams?"
"That can also be arranged, We can hire more people too. All six engines are going to Gloster?"
"Yes they are. The Air Ministry might take a couple for evaluation but we can order more."
"We should order another six engines."
"Let us make a phone call. Edward, since you are the Project Officer could you call John at that number he gave you and have him change the order to twelve engines, please?"
"Will do. Which telephone can I use, gentlemen?"
"Did John Mitchell talk to you about the expansion and government-funded 'cheap' labour?"
"Yes he did and we are busy working on it."
"You should be receiving documentation from the Air Ministry by the end of next week."
We left Hawker with a good feeling. "We have a reason to celebrate this evening. We also need to talk about the party on the 16th at Windsor Castle."
"Everything is being organized. I just need a guest list."
"Sally and Mum have been working on that."
"Until this evening then. I have to type a summary of today's business for Churchill and the General. Then I'm heading to TRADOC, hopefully with Sally."