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).
Misunderstanding with Lucas Electrical Co. Ltd. over equipment for the Goshawk 11 engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 51\2\ Scan014 | |
| Date | 1st July 1921 | |
| R. {Sir Henry Royce} from Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} c. to CJ. c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} c. to Da. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Ey. X.4338 RECEIVED JUL 1921 Wd {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} 2/NJ1.7.21. X.4338 Electrical Equipment. I confirm mine Wd {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} 1/NJ27.6.21. Yesterday Mr. Breeden, a Director of the Lucas Electri-cal {Mr Calvert} Co. Ltd. communicated with me by 'phone regarding the electrical equipment for "Goshawk 11" and in the course of conversation a remarkable misunderstanding was brought to light. This morning I have received a letter from the Lucas Electrical Co. confirming the conversation and I think I cannot do better than give you a copy of same, as follows:- "In conversation with you this morning on the "telephone I discovered a remarkable fact which brings "to light the reason why your Committee confronted Mr. "Oliver Lucas with the suggestion that we had not been "sufficiently keen over the business for electrical "equipment on the small car. "Mr. Lucas mentioned that you had certain corres- "pondence relating to the matter, and I now find that "we had a letter from Mr. Day asking us if we had a "Starter suitable for the Goshawk 11. Engine. He gave "blueprint showing the arrangement that you had "suggested. He also asked us if we had a Dynamo "suitable and gave a further blueprint. "We at once from these letters came to the con- "clusion that the Goshawk 11. engine was an aero engine "which required something out of stock and could not "possibly wait for a special design. We therefore "regretted as far as the Dynamo was concerned that we "had nothing in stock. "I learn from you today that the Goshawk 11. "engine is the engine of the smaller car about which "we have been so very keen. You will realise therefore "how surprised I was when I heard the expression of "opinion in regard to our lack of keenness in the "matter because I have personally mentioned to you time "after time how very anxious we were to do everything "possible to meet you on this particular car. We think "you would probably agree on referring to those letters "that the matter was rather misleading. (contd) | ||