Post by Diarist on Sept 18, 2016 11:09:13 GMT 1
My last day at work before my overseas tour was a quiet one. I spent most of the time talking with the section heads then I had lunch with Winston, Sir Philip and AVM Freeman at the MoD restaurant. The discussion turned to the export market for military aircraft. I suggested we offer the 'traditional' version of the Hawker Hurricane built the old-fashioned way like the first prototype. Subsequent versions will have the monocoque structure used by Supermarine and this version should only be produced for the RAF. They shall consider my suggestion. What is there to consider? The biplanes we are exporting will all be obsolete or at best advanced trainers and we need the revenues...
I went to TRADOC in the afternoon to talk with COL Charles de Gaulle. I don't know him too well but he supports armoured warfare and is an obvious choice to create a French armoured division along TRADOC lines. In France however because of his 'revolutionary' proposals he has made enemies. I told him that he needs to be at RAF Duxford for our 9 o'clock flight to Paris. Finally I dropped in to see John Gort. There was a COL Richard Hardy with him.
"This is the young man your COL Wilkins recommended."
"Does he meet your requirements?"
"Indeed he does and will start here next Monday."
"Congratulations. You'll like it here. Working for General Gort is easy, replacing me is the difficult part."
"Everything ready for tomorrow, Bob?"
"I'm as ready as I can be. I have a Dragon Rapide from the 24th. Hopefully I can get some flying time as co-pilot because I need my twin-engine licence. Yesterday I received permission from the PM to speak to the French PM about our special plan, in confidence. That's when COL de Gaulle will also first hear of it. The need-to-know rule is being strictly enforced. That's an important rule here, colonel. You don't volunteer information unless you've been ordered to. There are a lot of secret projects in TRADOC."
"Will you be at the hotel this evening?"
"Maybe. If I do it won't be for long."
"Edward wants to talk to you about yesterday evening. What time?"
"Right after working hours. Until later."
Edward filled me in with what was discussed after I had left yesterday. The good news is that Daryl Shepherd and his people are part of the permanent team at Hatfield/Edgware. Time to take the car home before going to the hotel.