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).
Notes of a conference on Merlin & Spectre engine development, focusing on construction methods.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\1\ Scan129 | |
| Date | 4th March 1935 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} x2974 HY{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}3/R.7.3.35. NOTES OF CONFERENCE ON MERLIN & SPECTRECodename for Phantom III, MONDAY, MARCH 4th 1935. PRESENT:- Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} said he did not propose to review the notes of the previous meeting but would discuss any points which were considered to be of first importance. MERLIN B. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} referred to memo Ref. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}6/MJ.27.2.35. regarding integral construction of crankcase and cylinder jackets. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} raised points against the integral construction in comparison with the separate unit construction as used on Kestrel. He said so much trouble had been met with up to date that it should be considered whether we should not go back to the separate cylinder block scheme with which we are well acquainted. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} also expressed the opinion that the integral construction would be more difficult to service. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} said that the question of ease of manufacture need not be considered as whichever design is found to be desirable the manufacturing problem can be dealt with satisfactorily. The question should be discussed purely on its technical merits and there is no necessity for methods of manufacture to influence the decision. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} and By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} said they were not convinced that there was any fundamental reason why the separate construction should be better than the integral construction but there are reasons why the latter should have advantages such as reduction in length and weight, and greater rigidity. After some discussion it was unanimously decided to go all out on the integral construction and for E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} to immediately prepare alternative designs of separate unit construction so that we shall be fully prepared to switch over in case of need. SECOND MERLIN ENGINE. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} stated that this engine would be ready this week and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} will test and start endurance as quickly as possible. | ||