Post by Diarist on Sept 18, 2016 5:48:25 GMT 1
With Geoffrey and I was William Tamblin. He designed the wings of the Mosquito and Hornet. The public bar of the Saffron Hotel was crowded and obviously not suited for such a meeting. Apparently almost all the carpenters had brought their apprentices with them. After a couple of phone calls we walked the carpenters to the conference room of TRADOC and left the remainder in the bar.
When all were present Geoffrey de Havilland introduced us, including Edward, who is the project manager at TRADOC. He explained that extra personnel will be required by various furniture manufacturers in and around High Wycombe to prepare the components required for the wings.
"Starting in January six prototypes will be assembled at our factory in Hatfield and extra personnel will be required there. Initial contracts will be for the six pairs of wings only. If the design is accepted by the Air Ministry, and we are very confident that will be the case, permanent contracts will be offered. For those at Hatfield there will be permanent contracts from the beginning because the prototypes will need more work until we have an acceptable production model."
William Tamblin then explained the various techniques involved and that a lot of glue is used for laminated parts. He had brought a set of blueprints to show the complexity of the structure. Finally I said a few words.
"It is obvious that we are not building gliders. It is a wooden airplane for the Royal Air Force. A military aircraft and a secret project. If anybody asks what you are building you will answer that you are building gliders. You will be required to sign various documents and if you breach the Secrecy Act you will not only lose your job but also land in jail. It sounds a bit ominous but it is simple to understand. You don't talk about work outside of work. That way you can't get in trouble. So if someone asks what you do. What's your answer?"
"We are building gliders," they answered.
After the meeting was over I talked to Bill Tamblin about the special woods being used. "Will they be available in England during wartime? How much is imported? Can we use alternate materials available in England? These are questions you need to address. Substituting strategic war materials with rare woods not available in England isn't a very smart move."
"There's no rush though is there?"
"No. The Hornet probably won't go into production until 1937. Many at the Air Ministry are wary about a wooden combat aircraft so it'll be an uphill battle, especially for the Mosquito."
"It's performance will convince them."
"If it outperforms the best new fighters, except the Hornet, that will get them scratching their heads."
At the hotel Sally was in the saloon bar so I joined her. After a while we went home for a late dinner. One more day at work then Paris here we come.
When all were present Geoffrey de Havilland introduced us, including Edward, who is the project manager at TRADOC. He explained that extra personnel will be required by various furniture manufacturers in and around High Wycombe to prepare the components required for the wings.
"Starting in January six prototypes will be assembled at our factory in Hatfield and extra personnel will be required there. Initial contracts will be for the six pairs of wings only. If the design is accepted by the Air Ministry, and we are very confident that will be the case, permanent contracts will be offered. For those at Hatfield there will be permanent contracts from the beginning because the prototypes will need more work until we have an acceptable production model."
William Tamblin then explained the various techniques involved and that a lot of glue is used for laminated parts. He had brought a set of blueprints to show the complexity of the structure. Finally I said a few words.
"It is obvious that we are not building gliders. It is a wooden airplane for the Royal Air Force. A military aircraft and a secret project. If anybody asks what you are building you will answer that you are building gliders. You will be required to sign various documents and if you breach the Secrecy Act you will not only lose your job but also land in jail. It sounds a bit ominous but it is simple to understand. You don't talk about work outside of work. That way you can't get in trouble. So if someone asks what you do. What's your answer?"
"We are building gliders," they answered.
After the meeting was over I talked to Bill Tamblin about the special woods being used. "Will they be available in England during wartime? How much is imported? Can we use alternate materials available in England? These are questions you need to address. Substituting strategic war materials with rare woods not available in England isn't a very smart move."
"There's no rush though is there?"
"No. The Hornet probably won't go into production until 1937. Many at the Air Ministry are wary about a wooden combat aircraft so it'll be an uphill battle, especially for the Mosquito."
"It's performance will convince them."
"If it outperforms the best new fighters, except the Hornet, that will get them scratching their heads."
At the hotel Sally was in the saloon bar so I joined her. After a while we went home for a late dinner. One more day at work then Paris here we come.