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).
Defending against accusations of delay in producing B.80 castings by detailing issues with receiving prints and design instructions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\4\ scan0005 | |
| Date | 21th November 1938 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} c. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/Vs.{J. Vickers} Sft{Mr Swift}/EW1/BH.21.11.38. CAR PATTERNS - EXPERIMENTAL. With reference to your memo' Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/R.17.11.38, re the delay in producing a B.80 casting, your remarks in paragraph 3 are entirely unjustified, and if there has been any delay, it was caused by your own D.O. In the first place, we received preliminary prints of B.80 on 14.6.38, to investigate only. After receiving these, we told By/CS. there was not sufficient information to commence. I personally visited the D.O. two and three times per week for at least six weeks, and was practically told I was the only one troubling at that period. We got no satisfaction, continually being told that the D.O. were waiting for design instructions; also it was quite probable B.80 would not be proceeded with for the time being, as certain persons desired to push forward B.60, which they were more interested in. Therefore, you will see that whilst the lack of information for B.80 was against the D.O., it also retarded the producing of B.60, as it was most important to have parallel information of the two units when making a combined pattern of crankcase and cylinder block. Then it should be noted, after pressing for information for three months, we received a second issue of prints on 21.9.38, also further revised prints on 21.10.38, which necessitated extensive alterations, new Wheelcase and Flywheel ends and Crankcase. Taking into consideration the above dates when the Pattern Shop received prints, and also bearing in mind we were waiting for the foundry to complete 6 sets of B.60 castings, this meant the pattern was released to us approximately 20.9.38, for conversion into B.80, and latest modifications. Therefore we fail to see where the delay is from our side, when one considers B.80 is now complete. It is difficult for us to understand why B.60 pattern was satisfactory and capable of producing 6 sets of | ||