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 testing and standardization process for alterations proposed by the American operations, including quotes from Mr. Royce.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 81\2\ scan0063 | |
| Date | 2nd October 1923 | |
| X4605 To BJ. from BJ. Copies to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BJ1/H2.10.23. AMERICAN ALTERATIONS. I asked Mr. Royce whether he considered it was desirable for any or all of the alterations which he had agreed to go through the usual 10,000 miles test. He replied as follows:- " I think in all cases it is advisable to say that "these improvements will be subject to further road "tests by us where the road tests have not been con- "firmed by 10,000 miles experience of the English Co. " Many of the alterations, however, are so trivial "that such an expression would be likely to sound weak, "but to avoid any misunderstandings it might be "printed on the correspondence as a standard term." He continues:- " They really through want of experience do not "realise the necessity of our much more careful procedure. "I believe that we are by no means too careful, and if "we were to follow their procedure there would soon be "an end of the R.R. singular perfection." I believe I am right in saying that EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} has informed me that quite a large number of the alterations which are now under discussion have already been adopted at Springfield, and are in production, and have even been included in Springfield cars which are now in the hands of customers. There are therefore two distinct classes of altera- tions:- (a) New suggestions which have not been put into produc- tion by Springfield and for which they have sent us standardisation sheets, some of which R.{Sir Henry Royce} has signed as agreeing to their being standardised forthwith. These have been sent to Springfield. (b) Alterations which have already been adopted by Springfield, and for which we have not issued standardisation sheets, but for which Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} is now preparing standardisation sheets. I understand that many of the alterations mentioned | ||