The Rolls-Royce R is a British aero engine that was designed and built specifically for air racing purposes by Rolls-Royce Limited. Nineteen R engines were assembled in a limited production run between 1929 and 1931. Developed from the Rolls-Royce Buzzard, it was a 37-litre capacity, supercharged V-12 capable of producing just under 2,800 horsepower (2,090 kW), and weighed 1,640 pounds (770 kg). Intensive factory testing revealed mechanical failures which were remedied by redesigning the components, greatly improving reliability.
Rolls-Royce R
Sectioned view of a Rolls-Royce Merlin which featured wet-liner cylinders and lower oil scraper rings, both originally developed for the R engine
Supercharger detail of the Rolls-Royce R
A late-production Rolls-Royce Griffon
Rolls-Royce Limited was a British luxury car and later an aero-engine manufacturing business established in 1904 in Manchester by the partnership of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Building on Royce's good reputation established with his cranes, they quickly developed a reputation for superior engineering by manufacturing the "best car in the world". The business was incorporated as "Rolls-Royce Limited" in 1906, and a new factory in Derby was opened in 1908. The First World War brought the company into manufacturing aero-engines. Joint development of jet engines began in 1940, and they entered production in 1944. Rolls-Royce has since built an enduring reputation for the development and manufacturing of engines for military and commercial aircraft.
Rolls-Royce Limited
Pages from a very early brochure, c. 1906
The Silver Ghost, 40/50 chassis #60551 registration AX-201 Scottish Reliability Trial 22 June 1907
Original Silver Ghost car in 2004 — 40/50 chassis #60551 with semi-Roi-des-Belges open tourer body by Barker