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).
The production of cast iron straight 8 engines and the interchangeability of parts with a planned aluminium version.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 123\5\ scan0179 | |
| Date | 22th November 1938 | |
| 1044 HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.22.11.38. STRAIGHT 8 ENGINE. Please note that in view of the decision made to-day, we should like you to go forward with four of the present cast iron straight 8 engines only. At the same time we should like you to obtain six castings in all, so that you will have two spares. The connecting rods, pistons, cylinder head and crankshaft will all be interchangeable between the aluminium and the cast iron engine, so that if six sets of these are in hand, it will not be necessary to stop them. In the meantime, we are completing details of the aluminium engine, so that you will see if any of the minor items are affected. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||