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).
Letter from AC-Sphinx Sparking Plug Co. regarding the supply of experimental sparking plugs and issues with their American ownership.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 163\5\ img010 | |
| Date | 6th April 1936 | |
| TELEGRAMS: SPHINX, DUNSTABLE TELEPHONE: DUNSTABLE 360 PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE. THE AC-SPHINX SPARKING PLUG Co. Ltd. DIRECTORS - N. F.{Mr Friese} STOCKBRIDGE, W. O.{Mr Oldham} KENNINGTON, C. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} BARTLETT. DUNSTABLE BEDFORDSHIRE (Logo: THE SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS & TRADERS LTD) OUR REF. NFS/GEB. YOUR REF. 6th April, 1936. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} West, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Limited, Derby. Dear Mr. West, Further to our telephone conversation of a few days ago, I expect to send you a few samples of Sparking Plugs with sinterkorund insulators for experimental test towards the end of next week. As these plugs have not previously been tried out on aero engines, they will of course be "a shot in the dark". Experimental bench tests will, however, give us a good idea as to how they match the operating conditions, and as a result of such experimental tests we should expect to be in a position to submit further samples to you for type test. I will write you some details of the plug immediately they are ready for despatch. In the meantime there is another matter on which I should like to ask your firm's co-operation. In view of our contemplated activity in aero Sparking Plugs, we desire to apply for membership of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors Limited. We find, however, that the declaration which we have to make stipulates that our share capital and the finance of our business is wholly British. In view of our American connections, we are unable to comply on this point. As far as the place of manufacture is concerned, we qualify fully, as we make all our own products here in Dunstable. Likewise in the matter of management, our concern is wholly British, not only in the nationality of all members of our Board of Directors, but also in the fact that every one of our employees is a British subject. However, the bulk of our share capital is American owned (by the AC Spark Plug Company of Flint, Michigan). MAKERS OF AC SPARKING PLUGS - AC AIR CLEANERS - AC PETROL PUMPS - AC PETROL GAUGES - AC OIL FILTERS - AC OIL GAUGES | ||