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).
Letter discussing the seizure and analysis of a 4-cylinder Mercedes chassis and Aero engine by the Admiralty.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 22\5\ Scan105 | |
| Date | 16th September 1915 | |
| COPY 16th September 1915. CJ7/C16915. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} My dear R.{Sir Henry Royce} Commander Briggs tells me that they have been able to seize, under the Defence of the Realm Act, a 4 cylinder Mercedes chassis. It is believed the four cylinders correspond with the cylinders of the latest Mercedes Aero Engine. The engine on the chassis has no induction pipes but the Admiralty have a photograph from which we can make the pipes. The Admiralty also can obtain for us one of the latest Mercedes 6 cylinder Aero carburettors. It is understood that this engine, which has a 6 1/2" stroke, will run up to 3,000 revolutions a minute, and has a high M.E.P. Commander Briggs proposes to send this chassis to our Works. He does not think that we should be justified in studying the chassis and therefore I have arranged that on the arrival of the chassis at our Works, all the chassis parts shall be enwrapped in some covering and shall be sealed by the Admiralty representative. We can take the engine out if we like. Commander Briggs would like us to fit the induction pipes and other necessaries so as to make the engine run. The cost of completing the engine is to be paid by the Admiralty on a basis of time cost. The Admiralty will also pay for material necessary for the Induction pipes, etc. | ||