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).
Secret internal memorandum regarding production priorities for 'SS' material, modification lists, and component supply issues like Hypoid Gears.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\2\ scan0190 | |
| Date | 15th January 1929 | |
| SECRET To Er. from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Roy.{Sir Henry Royce} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Sft.{Mr Swift} EWT. 7770 Worl/T.15.1.29. Will you kindly instruct 200 sets of 'SS{S. Smith}' Material, and every effort should be made to get this matter going as speedily as possible. There will, however, be some items held up owing to modifications. Would SY. kindly prepare a list of these? It should be the duty of EWT. to see that this list is kept up-to-date weekly showing the progress we are making to eliminate these modifications and get the job into production. This list should be investigated weekly, and I think it would be useful to all of us to have such a list, as we cannot afford to neglect any time on this job. I think even minor details should be on this list; for instance, when we were in conference yesterday, Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} was reading from Hancock's report on 10,000 miles and details were referred to on this report. These should be included, so that we can systematically follow them up. With reference to 'O' Series, we can immediately proceed with the remainder of the 150, but of course, this Series will need Central Lubrication, New Petrol Tank and one or two other modifications to be settled. It is also quite O.K. to proceed with Three Chassis SS{S. Smith} left-hand, this work should be hurried along in view of the importance of being able to supply the American and Continental Markets. Hypoid Gears are still a difficulty, and urgent steps should be taken to provide Axles with our ordinary bevels. I believe it was mentioned when we were travelling to London yesterday that we had no need to wait for the new cutters. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} stated to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and myself that we could produce bevels, but possibly not quite correct, which would get us going. I should like you to keep this memo quite secret. [Signature] | ||