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).
The decision to focus on the 8-cylinder marine engine and drop the 6-cylinder unit for the Navy and Imperial Airways.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\3\ scan0171 | |
| Date | 12th April 1940 | |
| 1128 Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} or to Jmr Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AA.{D. Abbot-Anderson}5/P.12.4.40. MARINE ENGINES. With reference to our discussion this morning regarding the above units. The position at the moment is that we should concentrate on proceeding with the 8-cylinder unit and drop - for the time being - the 6-cylinder in which the Admiralty had shown a certain amount of interest. This decision is made because the Navy are not really keen on petrol engines, and also because they insist on a number of modifications, such as watertight casing round the belt drive, hand starting gear, etc. etc. Such modifications as this are not required by the ordinary customer. We will, therefore, go ahead as quickly as possible with the development of the 8-cyl. unit in a straightforward manner, in view of the enquiry from Mr. Hagg, of the Walton Yacht Works, for such units to be fitted in tenders for Imperial Airways. Mr. Hagg has already put up to Imperial Airways that at least two of our units should be fitted. Should Imperial Airways accept the suggestion we could supply them with units such as we are designing at the moment without the extra work required by the Admiralty specification. Mr. Hagg is now proceeding with further enquiries regarding our units with Imperial Airways and will communicate with us again shortly. AH. | ||