T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 51

Bythe 27.11.38 Dear Flight Lieutenant Beauforte Greenwood, Please excuse the pencil. I have run out of ink, temporarily, writing the "800" Instruction Book. Today we tried the R.H. engine with the 6th edition of the Hyland control - giving an extra slow tick over for lying alongside a wharf, and incorporating a buffer-spring to prevent what I irreverently call "Vatkin bumps" in gear operation. Both modifications were most successful, and the L.H. engine is being similarly modified tomorrow. Mr. Jinman tried the gears and liked them. Everybody likes the as a matter of fact. I have had 8 airmen pupils so far, and all handle them well and praise the. I think the "improving" process has gone almost far enough and the final "set-out" might now be embodied in drawings for submission. A year hence improvements will still be making, I suspect, if others than ourselves use the gears: but already they seem to be serviceable - and a great advance in safety and flexibility, upon the old hand-controls. I am afraid it has been a slow and costly business. So many snags turned up. Yours sincerely T.R.Shaw.