Difference between revisions of "L. M. Ballamy"
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WWII "Towards the end of the war the Ministry of Aircraft Production began to terminate its contracts, and this meant that large quantities of [[Sir George Godfrey and Partners|Godfrey Marshall]] cabin blowers became available. These had been used to maintain cabin pressure in high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft at 8000ft or more and, interestingly, for schnorkel blowing on submarines. When peace broke out, Ballamy spotted a niche market in using these government surplus blowers to supercharge RAF officers' cars; as the Caterham works were very near to the barracks and to Kenley Aerodrome, he had a virtually captive market. Additionally, the RAF chaps were in possession of quite decent gratuities. Although Godfreys disapproved of this somewhat undignified use of their equipment, Ballamy was able to secure the rights to use them as car superchargers." | WWII "Towards the end of the war the Ministry of Aircraft Production began to terminate its contracts, and this meant that large quantities of [[Sir George Godfrey and Partners|Godfrey Marshall]] cabin blowers became available. These had been used to maintain cabin pressure in high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft at 8000ft or more and, interestingly, for schnorkel blowing on submarines. When peace broke out, Ballamy spotted a niche market in using these government surplus blowers to supercharge RAF officers' cars; as the Caterham works were very near to the barracks and to Kenley Aerodrome, he had a virtually captive market. Additionally, the RAF chaps were in possession of quite decent gratuities. Although Godfreys disapproved of this somewhat undignified use of their equipment, Ballamy was able to secure the rights to use them as car superchargers." | ||
1946 Ballamy left the company, taking several staff members with him, after a row with the main shareholder. | |||
With Ballamy no longer involved, the businesses were reorganised as [[North Downs Engineering Co]]. | |||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
Latest revision as of 14:39, 22 July 2021
L. M. Ballamy Ltd, Consulting and Experimental Engineers
1937 Company established by Leslie Mark Ballamy
WWII "Towards the end of the war the Ministry of Aircraft Production began to terminate its contracts, and this meant that large quantities of Godfrey Marshall cabin blowers became available. These had been used to maintain cabin pressure in high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft at 8000ft or more and, interestingly, for schnorkel blowing on submarines. When peace broke out, Ballamy spotted a niche market in using these government surplus blowers to supercharge RAF officers' cars; as the Caterham works were very near to the barracks and to Kenley Aerodrome, he had a virtually captive market. Additionally, the RAF chaps were in possession of quite decent gratuities. Although Godfreys disapproved of this somewhat undignified use of their equipment, Ballamy was able to secure the rights to use them as car superchargers."
1946 Ballamy left the company, taking several staff members with him, after a row with the main shareholder.
With Ballamy no longer involved, the businesses were reorganised as North Downs Engineering Co.
See Also
Sources of Information
- 'Out in Front: the Leslie Ballamy Story' by Tony Russell (Motor Racing Publications, Croydon, 2004).
- [1]