Hi
They produced 7.92mm BESA at Standish as I have a AP & Tracer rounds, I asume ball must be out there as well. On the IAA forum there is a reference to 15mm BESA being produced at Standish in WG IZ.
According to the records,
The bullet shops equiped to produce 0.303", 7.92mm, 0.55", 15mm
The case shops equiped to produce 0.303", 7.92mm, 0.55", 15mm & 20mm
The caps dept equiped to produce 0.303", 7.92mm, 0.55", 15mm & 20mm
The FT dept equiped to produce 0.303" in large quantities, 7.92mm, 0.55" & 15mm
The loading field was equiped to load 0.303", 7.92mm, 0.55", 15mm & 20mm
The proof range was equiped to test 0.303", 7.92mm, 0.55" & 15mm (some testing was done at Holcombe Brook Range)
There is a reference to producing 20mm Steel cases but was canceled in Sept 1944 after spending 11,939 of a 80,000 budget.
As well as producing on site extra components/blanks were brought in from Kiddeminster & Yeading as well as supplying parts out to other factories.
Kings Norton supplied blank brass strip and cups to Standish.
Standish was also part of the Goverments Strategic Reserve with machines from here and other factories being stored in buildings not being used by the post war tennants probably into the late 50's early 60's, Heinz were contracted by the MoS to maintain the site and machinery and could be asked to vacate at a moments notice with ammunition production being resumed within a month.
The cost of the factory was to be shared between the MoS, RAF & RN which was estimated to cost approx 1.1 million not including the cost of the land, later revised to 1.5 million including 31,800 for the cutting and cupping plant at Kings Norton.
Initial production voulumes were expected to be approx 2.73 millon rounds per week of all types, later revised to 6.94 million per 94 hr week - double shift.
ICI left the site on 31/03/1946 after completeing breakdown of ammunition and transfering of machinery in/out of the site.
Hope this was of intrest
Regards
Mark
