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).
Challenges and solutions for standardising wings and valances on the Goshawk 11 model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 41\3\ Scan144 | |
| Date | 14th April 1922 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} for R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to SP.{Mr Spinney} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to EY. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} X3730 Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/14.4.22. RE. GOSHAWK 11, WINGS AND VALANCES, ETC. X.3730. X.3509. We have considered the question of standardising the above for all cars. This would have been comparatively easy to do had we to deal with purely standard bodies, made exactly to our designs and instructions by a coachbuilder over whom we have some control. We understand however that for the present it is decided to standardise designs of bodies from various coachbuilders from which the customer may choose. The difficulties which then arise are:- 1. A leading coachbuilder like Messrs. Hooper or Barker puts a great deal of his distinctive design into his wings, and would not agree to use our fittings, but would scrap them to use his own. This occurs we understand in connection with Armstrong-Siddeley cars at the above Coachbuilders. 2. The rear wing varies in shape very considerably where it joins up to the body, due to the vast difference to be treated on its merits. We discussed the matter of standard wings etc. with Messrs. Hoopers, when building 4-Goshawk-11., and it was agreed that we could standardise our wing stays, lamp brackets, and possibly the valance. This would allow the coachbuilder to make and fit his own style and type of wing. He could easily set the stays to suit. We have arranged to get out a drawing shewing our stays, valances, and lamp brackets in position, and the wings shewn dotted but dimensioned in the wheel arch. It is suggested that this drawing could be supplied to the coachbuilder with each car, and would shew him how to contd:- | ||