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).
Chronological log of communications and actions regarding the supply and trial of motor spirit and aviation fuel during 1931.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\3\ Scan028 | |
| Date | 31th December 1931 guessed | |
| -2- department, when he returned from America in January. Dec. 30. We supplied a further 500 gallons No.1. motor spirit to Derby. 1931. Feb. 4. Wrote to Mr. Cowen asking whether I could see Mr. Hives, as promised. 5. Mr. Cowen wrote saying that he was communicating with the Works. 17. Mr. Cowen wrote offering an appointment with Mr. Hives. 19. Wrote to Mr. Cowen suggesting March 2nd or 3rd for my appointment with Mr. Hives. 20. Mr. Cowen acknowledged my letter of 19/2/31. 27. Mr. Cowen wrote saying either day would suit Mr. Hives. 28. Wrote to Mr. Cowen saying I would go to Derby on March 3rd to see Mr. Hives. Mar. 2. Wrote to Derby advising a reduction in price of 1½d per gallon on all grades of motor spirit. 3. I went to Derby to keep my appointment with Mr. Hives who was engaged and could not see me and who sent Mr. Robotham to see me. I explained our position to him and he finally said that he could see no technical reason why we should not have a share of their orders. 5. Wrote to Mr. Cowen and told him the results of my visit to Derby. 6. Mr. Cowen acknowledged my letter. 9. We supplied 1,000 gallons No.1. motor spirit to Derby. 13. Mr. Hives wrote saying he was pleased to hear of our position and that in the circumstances they would send us an order for a quantity of Aviation Fuel for trial in their experimental department. 14. Wrote to Mr. Hives thanking him and asking whether he would mind our having a sample of their spirit so that we could blend an exact match. Mar. 27. Wrote to Mr. Hives again asking if we might collect a sample of spirit. 28. Mr. Robotham wrote saying we might collect a sample of spirit. 30. Acknowledged R.R's letter of 28/3/31. Apl. 8. Collected sample of spirit. 28. We received an order for one 50-gallon barrel of Aviation Fuel for trial. 29. Trial barrel of spirit delivered to Derby. June 30. Wrote to Derby asking how the trial barrel of Aviation Fuel had satisfied them and hoping that we might be favoured with an order in bulk. July 24. Wrote to Derby saying we had no trace of any reply to our letter of 30/6/31 and asked whether we might have any further orders for either motor spirit or aviation fuel. 29. Derby wrote saying that they had not had any opportunity of testing our trial barrel. 30. Acknowledged R.R's letter of 29/7/31 and hoped that they would shortly have the desired opportunity. Nov. 3. Wrote to Derby asking how the matter of aviation fuel stood, as we had still heard nothing; we said that we should very much like to be favoured with a regular share of their orders for aviation fuel and for ordinary No.1. motor spirit. 25. Wrote to Derby saying we could not trace having received any reply to our letter of 3/11/31. If they had not received it we would be pleased to send a copy as we were anxious to know how the tests were progressing. Julian M Leonard. | ||