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 discussing the Ford Air job, issues with French partners, and the logistics of spare parts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\4\ scan0175 | |
| Date | 21th September 1939 | |
| W/P. To Sr. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MH.{M. Huckerby}21.9.39. Dear Sr., We are wondering what you are doing. Golovine has been over here on the Ford Air job in which Dollfussis involved, whom I believe you know well. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} is anxious for you to have a look round the whole set-up with Golovine and then come over to Derby with Golovine next time he returns, and have a talk round the job. Briefly, Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} thinks that the French people are not serious as they have already been on the job some months and as yet do not appear to have got a technical staff going, which is the first thing one would normally do. They also seem to be raising difficulties which do not exist with regard to the acquisition of machine tool equipment from the States. We have far too much to do over here to "wet nurse" them. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} really wants to get a line up on the position so that he can make them decide once and for all whether they are going to go on with the job or chuck their hand in. When You come to Derby, one job I think that Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} will want you to look after is the landing of spare parts in France by 'plane. The idea is that we use a Ferry machine belonging to the Air Force, but someone has got to meet the parts in France and make sure that they get to their correct destination. Other jobs will doubtless crop up. I should like to have a line from you as to whether all your cars have been commandeered, and when you expect to be back in Derby with Golovine. Yours sincerely, | ||