Document Type: Book (Historical Study). Purpose: Informational. Authority: Author Expertise. Series: Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust Historical Series #10.

NB: The Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust and the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation are closely related. From "Rolls-Royce: The Pursuit of Excellence" (1984): "Both organisations share the history of the early days and work closely in harmony. This Historical Series of books was started by the Trust and it is intended that a series shall follow, produced by both organisations in the same format, thus building up an embracing library of true Rolls-Royce history."

Scope: A short history of "...the de Havilland aero engine, Napier engines, and the Rolls-Royce Small Engine Division / Helicopter Engine Group" written by Peter Stokes, who is both an engineer and a historian. He "...has worked for the de Havilland Engine Company and its successors through to Rolls-Royce ple today at the Leavesden factory, where he is now Plant Engineering & Services Manager."

From the Introduction: "This volume marks a milestone with the Historical Series. Not only is it the tenth to be published but, more importantly, it is the first to explore a heritage other than that of Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce ple today embraces within its lineage many proud histories of endeavour within the engineering fields of motor car, aero engine and aircraft development and manufacture. All these traditions have contributed to the strengths and capabilities of the Company and all are naturally embraced by the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust.

"From Gipsy to Gem" covers the de Havilland engine tradition. In writing it, Peter Stokes has displayed courage for he set himself the monumental task of spanning a far-ranging story which began before the first World War and continues through to this day.

Sir Geoffrey de Havilland designed his first aero engine in the years before the first World War for he was among that band of British aviation pioneers which included The Hon C. S. Rolls, J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon and Blackburn. After the war, in which he distinguished himself as an aircraft designer, he established his own concern and it was this which turned him to the quest for a new breed of small, reliable aero engines to power his new aircraft designs. The book explains how this led de Havilland to seek the help of Major F. B. Halford, the consultant aero engine designer, and how ultimately the de Havilland range of Gipsy engines was born.

With the second World War came the jet engine and again it was Halford's leadership which created the Goblin and Ghost. However, this volume goes on to describe not only the later engines, but the sites on which the work was carried out, the management and training philosophies of de Havilland and the related products and activities of the engine firm. Rocket engines, racing motor bikes, outboard motors and nuclear engineering all enter the narrative. Lastly, the volume turns to the helicopter gas turbine engine on which the Leavesden site houses the Company's centre of excellence today.

Such a volume could only have been written by an aviation historian practiced in the arts of both research and authorship. Peter Stokes clearly meets these criteria. He has worked for the de Havilland Engine Company and its successors through to Rolls-Royce ple today at the Leavesden factory, where he is now Plant Engineering & Services Manager. As well as being a member of the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust he also belongs to The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, The Royal Aeronautical Society and The Newcomen Society. In his leisure hours Peter is to be found restoring and maintaining engines of an earlier era. He is involved in restoration at Crofton on the Kennet and Avon Canal which boasts the oldest working steam engines in the World, and at Kew Bridge Steam Museum.

For many this book will give a first opportunity to grasp the extent and significance of the de Havilland aero engine tradition. It brings, at the same time, a new dimension to the Historical Series.

Contents (list of chapters from the Table of Contents): "Foreword Acknowledgements Bibliography Introduction by M. [Mike] H. Evans Chapter 1 - BEGINNINGS Chapter 2 - THE GIPSY ERA - The Gipsy - The Gipsy Six - The Gipsy Twelve & a brief Napier diversion - The Gipsy Minor Chapter 3 - THE 1939 - 1945 WAR - The Gipsies - Halford, Napier & the Sabre Chapter 4 - THE DE HAVILLAND ENGINE CO. - The Company - Gipsy Major - Queen 70 & Queen 30 - Major 215 helicopter engine - Motor Cycles again, and the Water Gipsy - Piston Engine manufacture to 1960 Chapter 5 - THE JET PROPULSION ERA - Jet Propulsion - The Goblin - The Ghost - H.3 and Comet Cabin Blower - The Gyron - The Gyron Junior - The PS50 Gyron Junior Chapter 6 - ROCKET ENGINES FOR AIRCRAFT PROPULSION - Sprite & Super Sprite - The Spectre - APU and Peroxide Starter Chapter 7 - THE NUCLEAR POWER GROUP Chapter 8 - GAS TURBINE POWER FOR HELICOPTERS & GENERAL AVIATION - The Gnome Chapter 9 - PEOPLE & PREMISES - People - Training - Premises Chapter 10 - LEAVESDEN Chapter 11 - BRISTOL SIDDELEY ENGINES LTD. Chapter 12 - ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED - SMALL ENGINE DIVISION - The Gem Engine - Smaller Engines - RTM322 - Jet Propulsion, Rocket & Turboshaft Engine manufacture to the end of 1986 Chapter 13 - CONCLUSION