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 from the Air Ministry regarding the appointment of overseers to engine constructors' works to accelerate development and production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\3\ Scan173 | |
| Date | 20th September 1939 | |
| C O P Y. Air Ministry, (Dept, Z A.{Mr Adams}) Berkeley Square, London, W.1. 800619/38/S.8.b. 20th September, 1939. Gentlemen, I am commanded by the Air Council to inform you that, with a view to accelerating the development and production of new types of engines and engine driven and power plant accessories, it has been decided to extend the principle of the appointment of overseers to constructors' works (already in operation at all the main aircraft designers' works) to the works of engine constructors. 2. The overseers will be serving officers of the Royal Air Force, with recent user experience, and their primary function will be to watch the progress of supply of engines, engine driven and/or power plant accessories under construction and, having regard to the importance of deliveries, to take immediate action on any matters which, in their opinion, are likely to lead to any delay in the execution of the orders. 3. This extension of the overseer procedure to engine firms is an experimental measure to permit the efficient operation of the Local Engine Modification procedure by the introduction of the "user" interest, in order that decisions may be made in the works without the delays associated with the normal procedure. 4. These officers will work in close collaboration with the Resident Technical Officers and the A.I.D. Inspectors (whose duties and responsibilities will not be thereby affected) at the works of the firms and will be empowered to give, after consultations with these officers, decisions on a wide range of subjects under detailed instructions which will be communicated to them by the Air Member for Development and Production. They will have direct access to Directors and Heads of Air Ministry Branches on matters which require decisions in the interest of development and production. 5. Overseers will act as chairmen of Local Engine Modifications Committees and, on all questions normally dealt with by the Installation Branches of the Air Ministry (A.D.R.D.Q.of the Directorate of Technical Development), they will act as the local representative of these branches and give decisions within their competence. 6. Overseers will maintain close contact with experimental establishments during official trials of the aircraft embodying the engines and/or accessories with which they are concerned and with Royal Air Force Units equipped with such aircraft. 7. The overseer appointed to your works is Wing Commander J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} Oliver and he will take up his duties forthwith. I am to request that you will afford every facility to this officer to enable him to carry out his duties and to express the hope that his appointment will be found mutually advantageous to your Company and to this Department. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, (Sgn.) D.L. Scott. | ||