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).
Production strategy for the 'Curlew' model and the standardisation of parts for 40/50 improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 183\M22\ img199 | |
| Date | 19th September 1922 | |
| To BJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Handwritten: V3548 Handwritten: Prototype P1 - 'Curlew' R2/119.9.22. My dear BJ., IMPROVEMENTS IN 40/50. C.3548. I shall be glad if you will discuss with CJ. as to whether it is possible for us to combine Nos. 1 and 2 moves, that is, produce the "Curlew" straight away, being the present 40/50 with front wheel brakes, and an engine with overhead valves. This would be less costly to the Company but I don't think it would make any serious difference to the designing department. If it would make no difference to the Sales it is much to be preferred to the necessity of making in all 3 models with various improvements. Mr. Wormald and Mr. Bailey were here yesterday and it was decided that we could not foretell when any of the improvements would be ready to standardise, but that the stock of parts need not now delay the introduction, and the main-tenance of sufficient stock to keep up the output could be obtained in small quantities just to keep the Works running. The present smaller out-put permits materials being obtained from hand to mouth so that a large stock would not be needed such as is necessary in busy times when materials were difficult to obtain, and when a large output necessarily means keeping plenty of stock in hand. We are therefore sending to the Works at the first possible minute all sorts of parts for the whole 3 moves of improvements, irrespective of their order, so that the Works will have ample experimental work going through, and so leave less parts to make towards the completion of the 3rd. move, that is, we are both going to push on with all the three moves contd:- | ||