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 armament projects with US contacts and commenting on the state of the automobile industry.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\4\ img056 | |
| Date | 24th July 1940 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} - 2 he could find out about it. Have heard nothing since. I also received the wood model of breech block and ring on the small gun. Have done nothing with this. The only drawing on this I received was the arrangement drawing QA.1192. Original of this has also been handed to DeVore for his information, and no photostat copies have been made except one for A.J.M. Baker at the Purchasing Commission. I ascertained that the United Shoe Machinery Co. existed at Beverley, Massachusetts, and was all ready to get after them as soon as prints arrived. But no prints have come. I am still in doubt whether some one is going to make the 40 m/m gun here or not. But will see DeVore in New York on Saturday. He shows no interest in new designs of 1/2" guns. Apparently these are so numerous over here you can pick them off the trees. We have definitely failed to receive the gun prints listed in - Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Cts.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}10/JMS 24.7.40 and Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Cts.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}10/MJS.2.7.40. Were these ever actually dispatched to us? If you would, therefore, send over complete detail drawings of both guns, we will get them in our bank vault, under lock and key, where no one can get at them except McManus or myself. Automobiles You will perhaps have seen that, by Knudsen's action, "new models" on automobiles have been throttled "for duration". Everyone, including the dealers and proprietors of automobile shows, heave a sigh of relief. The present shows of 1941 models, which are 1940 with new noses, are the last for some time to come, perhaps for ever, as they have been losing money on nearly all of them. This perhaps will break the stranglehold of body dies on the automobile industry, and, when it moves again we shall see more originality. Eventually we may have to put the automobile trade itself under an anaesthetic as has been done in Britain and Canada. The only new things this year are the Chrysler simplified transmission for use with fluid flywheel, a temporary transmission development at Packard, and Nash who have adopted Laucia front suspension on one model. Kindest regards from us all. α | ||