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).
Typed memo discussing the strategy for obtaining a licence for the 'Spectre' engine, including discrepancies in engine specifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 138\3\ scan0182 | |
| Date | 7th March 1935 | |
| W/S. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Wn. Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} " " Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ----------- Wn12/EIT.7.3.35. ----------- Re: "SpectreCodename for Phantom III" Licence. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}11/EG.3.35. We can obtain a licence as a matter of right provided that you agree to our disclosing correct details of the "SpectreCodename for Phantom III" engine to the Licensing Authority. Two of the important items are the bore of the cylinders and the number of the cylinders. So far we have been told officially that the bore is 4.25 inches and the number of cylinders - 6. Both of these items seem to be inaccurate, and corrected details will have to be supplied to us if it be desired to take out an ordinary licence. It is no use seeing the Licensing Authority about this matter unless we intend to take out an ordinary licence, since he is a mere executive officer who has to comply with statutory requirements from which he has no power to depart. In regard to the "SpectreCodename for Phantom III" already licensed, we shall have to tell as good a tale as we can, but it is quite likely that the Licensing Officer will insist on referring the matter to the ministry of Transport for instructions. Our local Licensing Authority is the Borough Accountant. He will be quite unsympathetic towards inaccurate declarations, and we shall have our attention drawn to the fact that Trade plates are designed to cover running of experimental models. We will do the best we can under the circumstances, but we think it advisable to defer taking any action until you decide whether you have any objection to the true facts being disclosed to the Licensing Authority. If you have no objection then Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} should supply us with correct particulars of the engine. If you have an objection then Trade plates should be used. It is inevitable that full disclosure should be made if and when the cars go to France. Wn. | ||