Post by Diarist on Jan 21, 2017 5:46:56 GMT 1
Before driving to Colchester I discussed my additional plan with AVM Freeman and Louis Mountbatten. We decided to create a permanent airborne task force at RAF Duxford until an airfield nearer to Colchester is built. My car is full now because Sally insisted in coming with us. We arrived at around 11 o'clock and found quite a congregation there. While most of us were eating sandwiches with hot tea or coffee (it was chilly outside) a select dozen were being given hands-on training how to disassemble and reassemble the new SMG. Winston had used his rank to become part of that group. I walked over to the firing range and found Basil Liddel-Hart there. "Those 50 and 100 yard targets seem an awful long way from here. I can't remember firing at anything greater than 15 to 20 yards away in Africa."
"It's for demonstration only. I took a look at the weapon yesterday and I like it."
"We are working on a silenced version now. That would be awesome."
"I agree. What's coming next from your design committee?"
"Something revolutionary for the air force so we are waiting for John to come back from the USA. Actually it isn't ready yet. I just want to keep you guessing."
Reginald, who has obviously had some practice, 'killed' all three targets at 10 and 25 yards with two short bursts, 2+1 wounded at 50 yards then 1+1 at 100 yards. A second burst killed the third. Very impressive. The 'newbies' weren't as proficient but all present were impressed with gun's performance.
"So, Basil. Do we have a deal?"
"We do. It's a fine weapon. We'll probably make a few changes though."
"Your prerogative. I'd like to see a folding-stock version."
"Can we talk for a while about armour design and your 'super tank' that I've heard of?"
"It's the tank after the tank which follows the tank with the 6-pdr gun you are developing now. In other words there is plenty of time. I have also planned a meeting with Henry Tizard once we're finished here." Winston joined us. "I see you've brought a few people from Ordnance here. Can Vickers look forward to an order soon?" I asked him.
"Yes, but at first we would prefer a small batch of 1200 guns to equip the Royal Parachute Regiment and for more evaluation."
"We would like to make a few small changes prior to production," Basil replied.
"Do that so treat this order as a pre-production series without changes."
"As you wish, Mr. Secretary."
"What do you have planned now, Bob? The Saffron Hotel?"
"Eventually but I'm meeting Henry Tizard first in Cambridge. I'll be at the hotel in a couple of hours."
"Good. I'll visit TRADOC first then meet you later."
"It's for demonstration only. I took a look at the weapon yesterday and I like it."
"We are working on a silenced version now. That would be awesome."
"I agree. What's coming next from your design committee?"
"Something revolutionary for the air force so we are waiting for John to come back from the USA. Actually it isn't ready yet. I just want to keep you guessing."
Reginald, who has obviously had some practice, 'killed' all three targets at 10 and 25 yards with two short bursts, 2+1 wounded at 50 yards then 1+1 at 100 yards. A second burst killed the third. Very impressive. The 'newbies' weren't as proficient but all present were impressed with gun's performance.
"So, Basil. Do we have a deal?"
"We do. It's a fine weapon. We'll probably make a few changes though."
"Your prerogative. I'd like to see a folding-stock version."
"Can we talk for a while about armour design and your 'super tank' that I've heard of?"
"It's the tank after the tank which follows the tank with the 6-pdr gun you are developing now. In other words there is plenty of time. I have also planned a meeting with Henry Tizard once we're finished here." Winston joined us. "I see you've brought a few people from Ordnance here. Can Vickers look forward to an order soon?" I asked him.
"Yes, but at first we would prefer a small batch of 1200 guns to equip the Royal Parachute Regiment and for more evaluation."
"We would like to make a few small changes prior to production," Basil replied.
"Do that so treat this order as a pre-production series without changes."
"As you wish, Mr. Secretary."
"What do you have planned now, Bob? The Saffron Hotel?"
"Eventually but I'm meeting Henry Tizard first in Cambridge. I'll be at the hotel in a couple of hours."
"Good. I'll visit TRADOC first then meet you later."