"Parkside: Armstrong Siddeley to Rolls-Royce, 1939 - 1994" by Roy Lawton

This book, by former employee, Roy Lawton, explains the history of the former Armstrong Siddeley site at Parkside in Coventry from the start of the Second World War to its eventual closure and demolition in 1994. The story begins with making aero engines during WW2, where the site was bombed several times during the 'Coventry Blitz'. Armstrong Siddeley Tiger, Cheetah and Deerhound engines are among those described. AS was also involved in early gas turbine work, producing their first axial compressor jet engine in the form of the ASX. By the end of WW2 AS were experimenting with the Python turboprop, which was selected for the Royal Navy's Westland Wyvern carrier fighter. Post-war saw the resurrection of motor car production, with cars like the Whitley, Hurricane and Star Sapphire being produced. In 1959, Armstrong Siddeley was merged with Bristol to form Bristol Siddeley Engines (the car business ended in 1960), which was then itself merged with Rolls-Royce in 1966. The Viper turbojet is an example of product longevity, having originally been designed to power target drones, but then ending up in the RAF's Jet Provost primary jet trainer and the Hawker Siddeley HS125 'Dominie', among others. 

In 1994 the site was closed and demolished. The book poignantly begins with the damage inflicted in German air raids and ends showing photographs of the empty workshops just prior to their demolition. This book should appeal to anyone with an interest in British engineering, the motor and aero engine industry or even just for some of Coventry's rich heritage.

This book was first published in 2008 (249 pages, 181 b/w photographs and illustrations) by The Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust as part of the Historical Series

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