From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Minutes of the first Power Plant Interchangeability Sub-Committee Meeting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\3\ Scan198 | |
| Date | 4th October 1939 | |
| E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Lr.{Mr Ellor} Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Dor.{Mr Dorey} Cdy. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Lp.{Mr Lappin} & c.to Bristol. ROLLS ROYCE-BRISTOL LIAISON MEETING. MINUTES OF 1ST POWER PLANT INTERCHANGEABILITY SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING. 1. Attention was drawn to the fact that in specifications for new types of Aircraft issued to Aircraft builders, the Air Ministry had not called for the incorporation of S.B.A.C. standard Power Plants. A recent example was quoted, namely, that of the B.1/39 specification, which merely states that the aircraft must be capable of being fitted with more than one type of engine. In consequence of this, though the Air Ministry had had the S.B.A.C. standards in front of them for eighteen months, little progress had been made in taking advantage of the work which had been done to secure Power Plant Interchangeability. In spite of the absence/of any assistance from the Air Ministry, engine builders had been able to make a certain amount of progress towards the introduction of the S.B.A.C. standards. For instance, power plants approximating to that laid down for Group II, Scheme A, had been accepted at the instances of the Bristol Company for the Short Stirling, and also for the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.41. Owing to the advanced stage of these aircraft, at the time of the production of the S.B.A.C. standards, it has been necessary to depart from what has been laid down in certain respects, notably the arrangement of the control lever box, and in the position of certain pipes. On the Stirling, the oil cooler is fitted in the wings, instead of in the standard position forward of the engine bulkhead, but this modification will not have any serious effect on securing interchangeability of Power Plants. It was agreed that Rolls-Royce would look into the question of altering the position of pipes on their installation, to conform with those now in use by B.A.C. on the Stirling. The B.A.C. on their part agreed to examine the possibility of reverting to the original standard control lever box as included in the S.B.A.C's report to the Air Ministry. The electrical system adopted by the B.A.C. on the Stirling to be accepted by Rolls-Royce as it stands. 2. The proposal to substitute the Bristol Hercules and the Rolls-Royce Griffon engines for the present types now fitted in various standard service types was considered. The Aircraft referred to were the Vickers-Wellington, the Handley Page Halifax, and the Short Sunderland. It was agreed that we would ask the Air Ministry whether they were interested in the fitting of larger engines to these aircraft, and if so, whether they would be prepared to specify that the new types of engines would be incorporated in power plants to S.B.A.C. standard Group II, Scheme A.{Mr Adams} (Continued) | ||