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).
Development policy for future experimental car models 'Heron' and 'Seagull'.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 183\M22\ img250 | |
| Date | 17th January 1923 | |
| DEV'T POLICY of HERON SEAGULL FUTURE 40/50 To CJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BJ. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to EY. c. to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} RE. EXPERIMENTAL CARS X.3548 X.2555 X.4428. During Mr. Wormald's visit to WW. on the 16th. we discussed the matter of the policy of the Company with reference to the experimental cars. At the time I was inclined to agree that we could abandon the "Heron" and proceed directly with "Seagull". Later on it was discussed whether the present 40/50 should still go on being improved. At first I thought we ought to leave it alone but there are great advantages in letting the future 40/50 follow closely the lines of 6.EX., with the improvements to the electrical equipment, etc. which we have got on this car. I therefore now incline to agree with Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} that the 40/50 should go on being improved, firstly for the sake of the American Company, and secondly in case the "Seagull" (P1 PROTOTYPE) takes longer than we expect. We do not think the compressed air brakes for the four wheels are likely to be adopted, and at the moment we wish we had never started on them. It is therefore for this reason that we ought to make the "Heron" which could have all the 40/50 improvements, including the front wheel brakes as well as the electrical equipment. So that I am strongly in favour of proceeding with the "Heron" as well as the "Seagull", in case it is desired to go on somewhat longer before we put the "Seagull" into production. contd:- | ||