Post by Diarist on Nov 26, 2016 4:49:12 GMT 1
This morning I attended the board meeting of the Vickers conglomerate being held at the L&M Bank headquarters. I spent most of the time listening and was amazed at how large and diversified the firm is. Electric engines for the Brazilian and Hungarian Railways. Also a contract for a 105MW power station at Battersea in London which will be the largest in Europe. Finally the report from Vickers-Armstrongs was discussed. My input was the prospect of the Hawker Hurricane being built under licence in seven European countries but with the Rolls-Royce engines for them being built here in England. It still needs final approval from the MoD but I assured the board members that I am confident it will happen.
I also got involved when Gloster Aircraft was being discussed. "This is a complex issue but my Ministry has a plan to produce the Wright R-2600 engine under licence in the UK. I shall be travelling to the United States very soon to personally promote the idea. I can't tell you any details but this project has a very high priority in the Ministry of Defence. We want that engine."
I'm hoping that the naval fighter and dive-bomber being designed by Gloster are so good that the U.S. will want to build them under licence and we get a licence to build the engine in England as part of the deal. Plan B is that it will be selected for the new Boeing four-engine bomber and domestic requirements will outstrip their export orders. One or both should seal the deal. I talked to Henry Folland from Gloster after the meeting and reaffirmed that the fighter and dive-bomber have priority with the torpedo-bomber a close third so don't neglect it. They are working on two options for the latter aircraft. A lengthened version of the fighter or a variant of the dive-bomber. The goal is to use as many common parts as possible. I told them about Westland's radiator idea and he, Folland, agreed to look into it. All in all a very informative meeting.
I also talked to my father about AIOC and asked if it would be possible to build a refinery in Kuwait and or Oman. I don't like all our eggs being in one (Abadan) basket. He said that he would pass it on. I stayed for lunch then finally went back to work.
I also got involved when Gloster Aircraft was being discussed. "This is a complex issue but my Ministry has a plan to produce the Wright R-2600 engine under licence in the UK. I shall be travelling to the United States very soon to personally promote the idea. I can't tell you any details but this project has a very high priority in the Ministry of Defence. We want that engine."
I'm hoping that the naval fighter and dive-bomber being designed by Gloster are so good that the U.S. will want to build them under licence and we get a licence to build the engine in England as part of the deal. Plan B is that it will be selected for the new Boeing four-engine bomber and domestic requirements will outstrip their export orders. One or both should seal the deal. I talked to Henry Folland from Gloster after the meeting and reaffirmed that the fighter and dive-bomber have priority with the torpedo-bomber a close third so don't neglect it. They are working on two options for the latter aircraft. A lengthened version of the fighter or a variant of the dive-bomber. The goal is to use as many common parts as possible. I told them about Westland's radiator idea and he, Folland, agreed to look into it. All in all a very informative meeting.
I also talked to my father about AIOC and asked if it would be possible to build a refinery in Kuwait and or Oman. I don't like all our eggs being in one (Abadan) basket. He said that he would pass it on. I stayed for lunch then finally went back to work.