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).
Extract of a letter from Mr. John Howlett of Wellworthy Piston Rings Ltd. concerning difficulties with the AC.9 bearing product.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 116\2\ scan0144 | |
| Date | 7th June 1940 | |
| Extract from letter dated the 7th June, 1940, from Mr. John Howlett to Mr. Devereux. JH/KES. Wellworthy Piston Rings Ltd., Lymington, Hants, 7th June, 1940. Dear Dev., I have rather a little difficulty regarding AC.9, and so I am coming to you with it. You, Rolls and myself are all naturally interested in this job. The position is that we have made Leylands over 50,000 of these bearings, but lately they have got terribly windy about it. I think this is due to two factors. No doubt the makers of all the other bearings continue to tell them they are the only people using AC.9. Incidentally, the Aluminium Controller said he would not allow us to extend its use to anybody else, unless it was for aircraft. The second factor is really the point about which I am writing you. Pilkington and young Henry both told me that Rowbotham of Rolls has told them they have dropped AC.9. Now what probably he meant was that they were no longer going on with their experiments on their aircraft engines. I don't think today is the time for any experiments, but he told them this in such a way that they themselves immediately said when I met them, "But Robotham says that even Rolls have dropped it" and the Travellers who are selling competitive bearings, lead-bronze and so on, have all got this story about Rolls having dropped it and it makes it very difficult for me to try and stir up any enthusiasm for a product when I get stabbed in the back like this. ... .... | ||