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 detailing delays and testing issues regarding Firth's Axle Springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\2\ Scan048 | |
| Date | 9th August 1922 | |
| CL. ROY {Sir Henry Royce} 1/FJ-9-8-22. eH Yours OJ9/D3.8.22 re Firth's Axle Springs. Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} handed me last October a copy of Firth's Agreement dated 20-7-20 which provides that they will accept our Axle Spring Orders from approximately January 1st,1922, we on our part undertaking to draw such supplies from time to time when they have produced Springs to meet our requirements. So far the Technical Officials here have been unable to report that they are satisfied with Firth's Springs as not only have we been developing a new design, and Springs are a detail which have caused much anxiety, but we have also changed the composition of the Steel in which Firths are making same compared with that hitherto used by Woodheads, the result being the Technical Staff have been very chary of expressing any definite opinion on Firths' products until their tests were fully complete. We must admit there have been a number of circumstances but mainly beyond our control which have delayed matters considerably:- (a) At our request, Firths originally submitted sample Plates only under protest and not complete Springs and these broke on the Bumping Machine and were so reported on 23-1-22, the result being we were compelled to fit Woodhead's Springs to the 10,000 miles trial Goshawk cars. (b) As a result of this failure, various discussions took place on the question of design, material, etc. between the two Works and a delay of nearly 3 months occurred due partly to these discussions and partly to labour difficulties which Firths experienced about this date before further sample sets were submitted on April 12th. (c) Unfortunately, abnormal delay has undoubtedly occurred in the testing of these springs which we much regret due:- (1) to the Engineers' Lock-out. (2) break-down of our Bumping Machine. (3) The enormous volume of Experimental work which was passing through the Experimental Shops about this period. The Experimental Shop now hope to report on these sample sets within 10 to 14 days and if satisfactory, we can then open negotiations straight-away with Firths for bulk supplies always provided you allow us to continue our present rate of manufacture i.e. 10 Goshawk and 15 40/50 Chassis per week. (d) Modifications to design have also delayed matters and it was not until July 17th that the Front Spring was even finally settled. We have done our best to keep faith with Messrs.Firths on | ||