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).
Development and potential of a compression ignition unit, urging to proceed with testing.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\March1929-December1929\ Scan087 | |
| Date | 19th April 1929 | |
| BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) ORIGINAL. C. to ES. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} RG.{Mr Rowledge} " HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} F.{Mr Friese} COMPRESSION IGNITION UNIT. R1/M19.4.29. REC'D AT WW. 23.4.29. X4433. X4446. Much of this can go ahead as soon as there is room in the pattern shop, or where-ever it is stopped. In view of Mr. Ricardo's report it is not considered that this is very hopeful for orders in the near future, but he may be mistaken, because the advantages of lower fuel consumption and safety may make a heavy engine of high fuel efficiency more useful than the present for long distance work - i.e. large flying boats etc. I am quoting our generally agreed opinion. We have great hopes that this type of engine may bring orders to the Company in many ways, and the work should go on even if the pattern work has to be put out. I have imagined that with our resources we have hardly any limit to our experimental work providing we can get someone to pay for it, and it promises to bring the factory some orders, i.e. we have an enormous staff of technical people, and WW's impression is that we do a large amount of designing which does not get made and tested quickly enough to be of any value. This has occurred chiefly with the chassis work. We also spent much time on aero work which came to nothing. The compression ignition unit will share the same fate if we do not go ahead with the test we know up-to-date. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||