After numerous problems with the starter clutch on his Packard-built Merlin, he contacted Rolls-Royce. They instructed Lear to send them the clutch, which was quickly repaired and returned. Lear wrote: “I called my benefactor to thank him and to ask him when to expect an invoice. His reply was: ‘My dear Mr. Lear, Rolls-Royce-designed products do not fail. They may require occasional adjustment, but this is covered by our unlimited warranty. So there is no charge, sir.’
I have heard a similar story about Rolls Royce, it involved a driveshaft on a RR automobile. RR was contacted about spares to fix it, they sent a shipping voucher for the part to be sent to them. the part was promptly repaired and returned but no bill. The car owner re-contacted RR wishing to pay for services rendered and was informed there was no charge because "Rolls Royce products don't break".
Bill Lear mentioned that at the tender age of 18 he was the youngest P-38 pilot.
It turns out that Lear, just four days before his 18th birthday, with a check in hand from his famous father, he bought a P-38 and flew it out the same day from Kingman, Ariz. Not a war weary bird or an ex-trainer, but a brand new P-38L-F5G with only 18 hours, 20 minutes total time on its airframe and engines.
He was someone who actually bought a World War II fighter for $1,250.
Bill sold the P51 the same year, after getting the repair, and the American buyer hired a French pilot to ferry the aircraft back to the U.S..
This pilot had never flown a P-51 before. His first landing was at Kevlavik, Iceland after a non-stop flight from Paris Toussus-le-Noble airport. The pilot flared too high and while at low airspeed.
The aircraft rotated leftward, the wing struck the runway and the aircraft began to cartwheel down the runway. The engine broke off as did both wings and the aft fuselage leaving the cockpit section intact and on its side.
The pilot was alive but his head got pretty busted up. He later died of these injuries. He had worn no crash helmet and the shoulder-harness was found tied in a knot and dropped behind his seat. This was a survivable accident
Since I put the 1st and 2nd stories together, and now find them on Daily Timewaster, I guess that means that DT reads my blog? Or someone send him links to things they figure he will like https://dailytimewaster.blogspot.com/2025/03/thats-customer-service.html
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