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).
Visit to Rotax Company regarding a Goshawk II starter motor and a bulky cutout, with a preference for a Smith component.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 51\5\ Scan085 | |
| Date | 10th December 1939 | |
| R.R. Aero Form No. 708. 10-12-39. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 3947 X 4342 R. {Sir Henry Royce} Extract from EFC {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} 2/T5.5.21. RE VISIT TO ROTAX COMPANY. X.4342 R. {Sir Henry Royce} Starter Motor - Goshawk II. An enquiry has also been placed with the Rotax Company by our Design Dept. for a starter motor suitable for the small car, and it is thought that their type M.T.I.L of carcase diameter 4 1/8" and weight 21 lbs., would be suitable. Messrs. Rotax obtain all their die castings from Messrs. Fermans whose premises are only about 100 yards. away. At the suggestion of Mr. Benstead of the Rotax Co. we went over and saw Mr. Fowler of Fermans. No suggestion was made of showing us any of the work in process but we saw a number of samples of their work in brass and aluminium about which Mr. Brock has made a detailed report to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} X.3661. The Rotax cutout is bulky. We had a sample at the same time as we had the A.T.12 machine but did not send it to you or report upon it as we thought its bulkiness would be quite out of the question and in other respects it did not seem the kind of thing we should put on the R.R. car. The Rotax Co. stated that they retained this particular design of cutout particularly for the reason that they have had no complaints whatever. Perhaps, however, you might like to receive a report on this and have the cutout for examination, but personally I should far and away prefer the Smith. | ||