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).
Poor quality of steel castings received from Jessop's for Bentley and Wraith suspension components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0087 | |
| Date | 23th November 1937 | |
| RES 1202 what do you know about this To EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} c.c. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} STEEL CASTINGS. The first supply of steel castings from Jessop's was received during the week-end, and proof inspection is now proceeding. These are mainly Experimental suspension levers for Bentley III, but included in the batch received are two Wraith III items, the main front spring suspension housing GW.1746/7 and the rear spring bracket GW.1748, which are included in the specification for the first six Production chassis and have therefore been given preference. The rear spring bracket being a relatively simple casting has come out fairly well, but the front spring suspension housings are most unsatisfactory. The finish generally is very rough, shortage of metal is evident at several points, bosses are misplaced and mis-shapen and there are several major discrepancies, which means that castings as supplied are useless. These various points will be taken up with the makers with a view to obtaining sufficient good castings to satisfy immediate requirements, but knowing the diffic-ulty which has been experienced in obtaining proof castings and the general lack of interest or co-operation on the part of Jessop's, we are by no means confident that Production supplies will be satisfactory either from the point of view of delivery or quality. We can only recommend, therefore, that immediate steps are taken to come to a definite understanding with Jessop's as to their willingness to supply and the standard of quality which can be achieved and maintained, and to obtain a firm quotation for parts which are likely to become standard, as despite repeated requests they have so far failed to submit any kind of estimate as to what castings are likely to cost on a Production basis. We attach hereto proof inspection report on the front spring suspension housings. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} | ||