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#1 fw07c

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Posted 11 August 2012 - 14:38

I am attempting to find the names and duties of all Vanwall's racing staff so far I have the following names

Technical, Tool room, engine build and testing
Bill Thomas (Drawing Office)
Len Butler (Superintendent Engine test shop)
Frank Davies (Foreman)
Doug Orchard (engines)
Ralph Rattley (engine testing)
Arthur Pratt (Prototype engine build and Test bed)
Jim Wright (toolroom)
Frank Knight (stores)

Racing Stable and Chassis build
David Yorke (Team Manager)
Norman Burkinshaw (Chief Mechanic)
Cyril Atkins
Les Butler
Harold Callen
Reg Cannon (chassis)
“Cass” Castell
Stan Elseworth
Ray North
John Rochell
Ron Sayer
“Smuggy” Smith
Albert Tingey
Doug Townson
John Waller
Phil Wilson
Dereck Wotton

I would be very grateful for any further information on the subject


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#2 D-Type

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Posted 11 August 2012 - 23:20

Presumably you've read all the Vanwall books, eg those by: Jenkinson & Posthumus, Anthony Bamsey, and Ed Mc Donough. Are there any others?

#3 David McKinney

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 05:55

Didn't Ian Bamsey write one?

(Sorry :) )

#4 fw07c

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 10:08

Presumably you've read all the Vanwall books, eg those by: Jenkinson & Posthumus, Anthony Bamsey, and Ed Mc Donough. Are there any others?


Thats right including Klemantaski' s Vanwall story and Tony Brooks Poetry in motion and the list is a compilation of all the names in these books

#5 Doug Nye

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 17:08

I think you have certainly included all the names I have ever heard - plus some I haven't - apart from engine designer Leo Kusmicki and consultant Eric Richter. I seem to remember Ian D. Jones did some draughting work for them as well - the sometime Lotus draughtsman. There will certainly be others.

DCN

#6 D-Type

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 17:25

Didn't Ian Bamsey write one?

(Sorry :) )

:blush: Posting late at night!

#7 DanTra2858

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 20:51

Where would Costin & Chapman fall into place in this list.

#8 fw07c

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 23:56

Where would Costin & Chapman fall into place in this list.

I have these on a separate list as below :l

VP ltd senior management
Harry Begg (Technical Director)
David Green (Research Manager)
Freddie Fox (Engineering Manager)
Leo Kuzmicki (Engine Designer)
Bill Robins (Finance Director)

Consultants
Frank Costin (Aerodynamics)
Colin Chapman (Chassis )
Harry Weslake (Engine)


Chapman and Costin provided the chassis design and aerodynamics design my original list were those who helped build the Vanwall .

#9 fw07c

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Posted 18 August 2012 - 10:13

At the 1957 Pescara Grand Prix Vanwall took Cyril Atkins chief Mecahnic his number 2 Norman Burkinshaw and 6 mechanics and 2 engine specialists. Who were the mechanics and the 2 engine specialists? Any ideas?

#10 fw07c

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Posted 29 August 2012 - 20:39

So far I have the following men behind Tony Vandervell
VP ltd senior management
Harry Begg (Technical Director)
David Green (Research Manager)
Freddie Fox (Engineering Manager)
Bill Robins (Finance Director)

Consultants
Frank Costin (Aerodynamics)
Colin Chapman (Chassis )
Leo Kuzmicki (Engine Design)
Harry Weslake (Engine)
Rodney Banks (Fuel)

Technical
Eric Richter (Engine designer)
Bill Thomas (Drawing Office)
Ian D Taylor (Drawing Office)

Toolroom, Engine build and testing
Len Butler (Superintendent Engine test shop)
Frank Davies (Foreman)
Ralph Rattley (Engine testing)
Arthur Pratt (Prototype engine build, Test bed and racing mechanic)
Jim Wright (Toolroom)
Frank Knight (stores)

Racing Stable and Chassis build
David Yorke (Team Manager)
Cyril Atkins (Chief Mechanic)
Norman Burkinshaw (No 2 Mechanic)
Les Butler (chassis)
Harold Callen (chassis)
Reg Cannon (chassis)
“Cass” Castell (chassis)
Stan Elseworth
Ray North
Doug Orchard (engines)
John Rochell (chassis)
Ron Sayer (engines)
“Smuggy” Smith (chassis)
Albert Tingey
Doug Townson
John Waller (chassis)
Phil Wilson
Dereck Wotton (chassis)

Have I missed anybody out ?

#11 Allan Lupton

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Posted 29 August 2012 - 22:32

If you're going to include Air Commodore Banks, please get his name right. He was known as "Rod" Banks which was short for "Rodwell", not Rodney.
Did he really do fuel work as late as Vanwall? By that time he was being loaned by Associated Ethyl to the aeroplane industry.

#12 Tim Murray

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Posted 29 August 2012 - 23:31

Correct spellings:

Stan Elsworth
Frank Davis
John Rockell
Derek Wootton
'Smudger' Smith

Missing names:

Harry Trimmer and Ken Stone (design office)

and GAV's personal secretary Marian Moore deserves a mention, as does Cecil Jobson, GAV's solicitor, who handled driver contracts and the like.

Rod Banks advised Vanwall on fuel blends in 1957. FW07C isn't to blame for getting his name wrong; the same error appears in the Jenks/Posthumus book Vanwall.

Edited by Tim Murray, 29 August 2012 - 23:35.


#13 fw07c

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Posted 30 August 2012 - 13:11

Correct spellings:

Stan Elsworth
Frank Davis
John Rockell
Derek Wootton
'Smudger' Smith

Missing names:

Harry Trimmer and Ken Stone (design office)

and GAV's personal secretary Marian Moore deserves a mention, as does Cecil Jobson, GAV's solicitor, who handled driver contracts and the like.

Rod Banks advised Vanwall on fuel blends in 1957. FW07C isn't to blame for getting his name wrong; the same error appears in the Jenks/Posthumus book Vanwall.


many thanks for correcting my spelling.

#14 Dave Williamson

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Posted 02 September 2012 - 11:00

Hi,
Recently I was trying to locate the name and whereabouts of a mechanic who came to NZ in 1958.
As a 13 year old, I watched as he worked on the Dart Connaught, plus Archie Scott-Brown's Lister Jag. I subsequently discovered his name was Rod Dore and I later found a photo of him at Siverstone working with Vanwall. He returned to NZ years later ...and has since passed away.

I can email this photo to you should you wish.
regards
Dave Williamson
Sydney, Australia

#15 fw07c

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Posted 22 March 2013 - 10:57

Here is my list of men behind Tony Vandervell. Are there anyone else to add to the list?

VP ltd. senior management Consultants
Harry Begg (Technical Director) Rod Banks (Fuel)
Claude Birch (Rtd Chaiman) Joe Craig (Norton M D)
Alfred Blount (General Manager) Frank Costin (Aerodynamics)
Freddie Fox (Engineering Manager) Colin Chapman (Chassis)
David Green (Research Manager) Leo Kuzmicki (Norton Designer)
Neil Radcliffe (Chairman and M D) Peter Ross (Frank Costin’s assistant)
Bill Robins (Finance Director) Harry Weslake (Engine)

Technical Associates
Peter Black Cecil Jobson (Solicitor)
Eric Richter (Engine designer) Capt Peter Mallorie (Pilot)
Ken Stone (Drawing Office)
Bill Thomas (Drawing Office)
Harry Trimmer (Drawing Office)
Ian D Taylor (Drawing Office)
Claude F Temple (Laboratory)
Tool room
Jim Wright (Head of VP Tool room)

Engine build and testing
Len Butler (Superintendent Engine test shop)
Frank Davis (Foreman
Ralph Rattley (Engine testing)
Arthur Pratt (Prototype engine build, test bed and racing mechanic)
Frank Knight (stores)

Racing Stable and Chassis build
David Yorke (Team Manager)
Cyril Atkins (Chief Mechanic)
Norman Burkinshaw (No 2 Mechanic)
Les Butler (chassis)
Harold Callen (chassis)
Reg Cannon (chassis)
"Cass" Castell (chassis)
Rod Dore
Stan Elsworth
Ray North
Doug Orchard (engines)
John Rockell (chassis)
Ron Sayer (engines)
"Smudgy" Smith (chassis)
Albert Tingey
Doug Townson (Progress chaser)
John Waller (chassis)
Phil Wilson (Mechanial)
Dereck Wooton (chassis)

and not forgetting his three wives Molly Agnes actress and first, Muriel Foster second and Marion Moore GAV's personal secretary and third.

many thanks for your help

Edited by fw07c, 22 March 2013 - 11:04.


#16 fw07c

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Posted 22 March 2013 - 12:32

Here is the list again clearer this time I hope

VP ltd. senior management
Harry Begg (Technical Director)
Claude Birch (Rtd Chaiman)
Alfred Blount (General Manager)
Freddie Fox (Engineering Manager)
David Green (Research Manager)
Neil Radcliffe (Chairman and M D)
Bill Robins (Finance Director)

Consultants
Rod Banks (Fuel)
Joe Craig (Norton M D)
Frank Costin (Aerodynamics)
Colin Chapman (Chassis)
Leo Kuzmicki (Norton Designer)
Peter Ross (Frank Costin’s assistant)
Harry Weslake (Engine)

Associates
Cecil Jobson (Solicitor)
Capt Peter Mallorie (Pilot)

Technical
Peter Black
Eric Richter (Engine designer)
Ken Stone (Drawing Office)
Bill Thomas (Drawing Office)
Harry Trimmer (Drawing Office)
Ian D Taylor (Drawing Office)
Claude F Temple (Laboratory)
Tool room
Jim Wright (Head of VP Tool room)

Engine build and testing
Len Butler (Superintendent Engine test shop)
Frank Davis (Foreman
Ralph Rattley (Engine testing)
Arthur Pratt (Prototype engine build, test bed and racing mechanic)
Frank Knight (stores)

Racing Stable and Chassis build
David Yorke (Team Manager)
Cyril Atkins (Chief Mechanic)
Norman Burkinshaw (No 2 Mechanic)
Les Butler (chassis)
Harold Callen (chassis)
Reg Cannon (chassis)
"Cass" Castell (chassis)
Rod Dore
Stan Elsworth
Ray North
Doug Orchard (engines)
John Rockell (chassis)
Ron Sayer (engines)
"Smudgy" Smith (chassis)
Albert Tingey
Doug Townson (Progress chaser)
John Waller (chassis)
Phil Wilson (Mechanial)
Dereck Wooton (chassis)

and not forgetting his three wives Molly Agnes actress and first, Muriel Foster second and Marion Moore GAV's personal secretary and third.