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 need to establish a dedicated team and facilities for aero engine weight analysis, following the completion of the Merlin III engine analysis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 132\2\ scan0077 | |
| Date | 11th January 1940 | |
| 1115 To Lr.{Mr Ellor} from HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} Jev. [crossed out] Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}3/VS.{J. Vickers}11.1.40. AERO ENGINE WEIGHTS. In view of the importance which is now attached to the weight of all parts down to the last detail, it is essential the necessary machinery should exist for the control of weight in manufacture and the keeping of records for reference purposes. A comprehensive weight analysis of the Merlin III engine has just been completed, and there are other engines to be dealt with in a similar manner, but a good deal of work is involved in tabulating parts and compiling of figures in readable form, and this has so far been handled by the staff formerly responsible for weights in the Experimental Chassis Test Section. We are now advised by Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} however, that owing to re-organisation which is taking place on that side of the Department, neither the apparatus nor the personnel will in future be available. Therefore, unless you would prefer this to be incorporated in En/ED.{J. L. Edwards}'s Section at Belper, it will be necessary to allocate a small staff for this purpose in the Aero Division of the Department, and provide suitable accommodation for records and weighing equipment. I should therefore like an opportunity of discussing this with yourself, Lr.{Mr Ellor} and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} if you will kindly say when it would be convenient to do so. ------------ HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} | ||