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).
Communications with a supplier regarding the manufacture and testing of Goshawk 11 laminated road springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\2\ Scan007 | |
| Date | 4th November 1921 | |
| Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Ex. c. to Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to Roy. {Sir Henry Royce} c. to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X4429 Wd {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} 1/NJ4.11.21. X4429 "Goshawk 11" - Laminated Road Springs. On the 17th Sept. 1921, we sent to Thos. Firth & Sons Ltd. prints F.50595 and F.50596, giving particulars respectively of Rear and Front Road Springs of 900 lbs. and 550 lbs. load, to illustrate the types we propose to adopt for "Goshawk 11". We explained to Firths that these were typical poundages, but of course we shall want a certain range, some lighter in poundage and others heavier. On the 22nd Sept. 1921, By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} had an interview with Firths at their Works, in the course of which it was suggested by Mr. Wortley Fawcett, a Director of Firths, and agreed to by By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} that they (Firths) should manufacture three sets of springs to said prints, each set to be of a different class of steel. It was agreed that these three sets of springs would be supplied free of cost to us for testing purposes, the object being to ascertain how the three classes of steel behaved under test on our bumping rig. Recently I urged Firths to deliver the three sets of springs, explaining that we were anxious to get on with the tests. We are now in receipt of a letter from Mr. Wolstenholme representative of Firths, as follows:- "I have ascertained from Mr. Wortley Fawcett that "the material for the three sets of springs is being "put in hand, and as he understood these are more or "less of permanent design, he has ordered the jigs "and tools for every plate, so as not to prejudice "the trials. We understood we had ample time to "prepare these as you were not likely to require "delivery before the New Year. The Gun Dept. "expect to finish some of the tools in a day or two, "and after they have been tried the remainder of such "tools will be put in hand. I am afraid, under the "circumstances, it may be a month or six weeks before "we can submit any samples. "If the matter is of extreme urgency, Mr. Fawcett "pointed out that these springs could be made by more "primitive means, but you will appreciate that in a "matter of such importance we are anxious to have "conditions which will not prejudice the situation." (contd) | ||