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).
Confidential memo outlining a plan for the construction of five prototype car bodies for the 'Silver Ripple' model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 118\1\ scan0392 | |
| Date | 6th January 1944 | |
| CONFIDENTIAL 1022 To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/RG.{Mr Rowledge} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/RG.{Mr Rowledge}1/GAB.6.1.44. c. to. Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/JD.{J. Draper - Frames} Silver Ripple Quantities of material for the construction of five bodies have been prepared. The sheet quantities given are for alternative steel and steel cum aluminium construction. From the discussion with P.S. Co. yesterday it would be desirable to have both forms of construction and also alternative materials. To get as near as possible true comparisons of the finished product together with a tool and planning programme for all versions I would suggest, for our prototypes, we adopt the following procedure. (a) First body to be made to Park Ward construction 100% and left entirely to P.W. to improve upon where their war efforts have produced new ideas. Steel and aluminium. Aluminium wings. (b) Second body to be made to P.S. Co. construction 100% and all steel. Wood floors. Aluminium wings. (c) Third body made to P.S. Co. construction. All steel. Steel floor. Steel wings. (d) Fourth body made to P.S. Co. construction. Steel and aluminium. Aluminium wings. (e) The fifth body should be left in abeyance to see if the pooling of ideas gathered from the first four bodies can produce something which may be an improvement on all of the above. Alternatively this body could be a second edition of (a), i.e. 100% Park Ward construction. With the full co-operation of Park Ward the above alternative should give a complete picture on which we could base our future plans. As you know P.S. Co. will submit a halffull scale arrangement showing their proposal. I doubt if this will be sufficient for Park Ward to build a body. To make a prototype body a large amount of full scale layout will have to be done either in our D.O., Park Wards D.O., or in the shop. If it is left to the shops somebody usually alays out full size templates etc. on sheets of plywood - a most unsatisfactory procedure, which leaves much to the imagination and no definite record. The best place for full scale layout is the Drawing Office. As Park Ward have no draughtsmen available, we must get the work done here. This may necessitate two full size layouts. It will depend upon Park Ward. | ||