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).
Production delays and schedule issues for the Wraith model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\2\ scan0003 | |
| Date | 1st February 1938 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} & Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} WRAITH. We are falling behind on our latest Schedule for Wraith Production. The earlier Schedule fixed at the beginning of last year has been exceeded in almost every instance. The subsequent Programme is now also being exceeded and the position has really become desperate because we are unable to take advantage of the additional eight weeks agreed upon for material investigations, which period it was anticipated would allow for the O.O. to make enquiries and for quotations to be studied so that a material value could be obtained. At the moment there are some 40% of instructions still outstanding. Admitted in some instances these may be incidental details but apart from quotation investigation we are not in a position to order other materials because of the doubt which exists as to the alterations which may be necessary as a result of the 15,000 miles trials car which has just been despatched to France. Various promises have been given for the clearance of the Schedule the last of which expired yesterday, January 31st., on which date it was understood all instructions would be cleared. Not only are we handicapped with regard to Material Cost Investigation but it is also having a marked effect on the progress of jig and tool production and unless there is an immediate decision it is doubtful whether we shall be able to produce the tools in time for when Production should commence. It is therefore suggested that an early meeting be arranged to go over the complete specification with a view to clearing same. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} | ||