Details
LAWRENCE, Thomas Edward (1888-1935). Autograph letter signed ('TE Shaw') to Flight Lieutenant W.E.G. Beauforte-Greenwood, Hythe, 15 January 1932, 2 pages, 4to (ticked in blue pencil, presumably by the recipient, on the first page).
LAWRENCE AS ENGINEER. An account of the latest experiments and modifications in the development of the RAF speed-boat. 'Now the next move is to reproduce the succesful R.H. engine on the L.H. engine: and then to link up & test. this can be done on Monday's tide (p.m.) and I have warned W/Com[man]d[er] Watkins, who will probably come himself to see the installation & bring his coxswain & engineer ... It has been difficult & sometimes disappointing: but now I prefer it to the independent gear & throttle control of the old boats. I think its sweeter & simpler control will much more than make up for the slight extra complexity of fitting, & for the cost'. The letter concludes with further technical discussions.
Lawrence, keenly interested in the solving of mechanical problems, worked on the development of seaplane tenders and air-sea rescue craft from 1929-1935. A crash in Plymouth Sound had convinced him of the need for an entirely new type of seaplane tender and the trials of a new type of engine control system (the Hyland control) for the 200 Class began in December 1931, occupying his attention until well into the following year. It was work which gave him great satisfaction until his involvement was discovered by the press early in 1932. Flight Lieutenant (later Wing Commander) Beauforte-Greenwood was Head of the RAF Marine Equipment Branch and was closely associated with Lawrence in the creation of an Air-Sea Rescue Service.
LAWRENCE AS ENGINEER. An account of the latest experiments and modifications in the development of the RAF speed-boat. 'Now the next move is to reproduce the succesful R.H. engine on the L.H. engine: and then to link up & test. this can be done on Monday's tide (p.m.) and I have warned W/Com[man]d[er] Watkins, who will probably come himself to see the installation & bring his coxswain & engineer ... It has been difficult & sometimes disappointing: but now I prefer it to the independent gear & throttle control of the old boats. I think its sweeter & simpler control will much more than make up for the slight extra complexity of fitting, & for the cost'. The letter concludes with further technical discussions.
Lawrence, keenly interested in the solving of mechanical problems, worked on the development of seaplane tenders and air-sea rescue craft from 1929-1935. A crash in Plymouth Sound had convinced him of the need for an entirely new type of seaplane tender and the trials of a new type of engine control system (the Hyland control) for the 200 Class began in December 1931, occupying his attention until well into the following year. It was work which gave him great satisfaction until his involvement was discovered by the press early in 1932. Flight Lieutenant (later Wing Commander) Beauforte-Greenwood was Head of the RAF Marine Equipment Branch and was closely associated with Lawrence in the creation of an Air-Sea Rescue Service.
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