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).
Discussion with Mr. Scott-Paine about installing an 'R' engine in a powerboat at the Power Boat Co's works in Hythe.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\1\ img008 | |
| Date | 21th November 1933 | |
| CONFIDENTIAL X4579 Sent from L.F. Lr.{Mr Ellor}1/AD, 21.11.33. REPORT ON DISCUSSION BETWEEN MR. SCOTT-PAINE AND L.R. DURING A VISIT TO THE POWER BOAT CO'S WORKS AT HYTHE. As requested at a recent meeting in London, I travelled down to Southampton on Sunday and Mr. Scott-Paine called for me at the hotel early on Monday morning. On arriving at the works he took me to see Miss Britain III and kindly explained all the leading features in detail. We then adjourned to his office and discussed possible speeds which might be obtained by installing various combinations of the "R" engine, the projected speeds being based upon an analysis of results he had already achieved and the figures we had obtained during trials on Miss England II and III. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. (1) It was agreed that with an "R" engine installed in a single engined boat having the same characteristics as the Miss Britain III, it is reasonable to expect a speed of 125 M.P.H. Any improvement which might be obtained in boat design as a result of information gained on Miss Britain III would tend to increase the above speed. (2) Very little improvement, if any, might be anticipated from a multi-engined boat employing engines of the same power-weight ratio and arranged with independent drive on to the gear box. In view of this, and together with the fact that Mr. Scott-Paine has accumulated a good deal of information on single engined boats, it was considered preferable to go for the single engined type. (3) After carefully examining the construction of Miss Britain III, machinery and installation, I do not hesitate in stating that Mr. Scott-Paine can be relied upon to produce a satisfactory and reliable job with an R-engined boat. (4) If the "R" engine is used in a single-engined boat the experimental element is almost entirely eliminated as we have definite information on the transmission and propellers within speeds involved, also the spare engine now at Derby can be used in the new boat. | ||