Application of a synchromesh second speed to the Phantom II gearbox.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 123\3\ scan0062 | |
| Date | 6th December 1933 | |
| 4704 x73 To wg. {Mr Gill - Financial Director} ) from E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} WOF. ) E.5/HP.6.12.33. c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ----------------- Phantom 2 Synchro mesh second speed. ---------------------------------- We have looked into the question of applying a synchromesh second speed to the existing Phantom gearbox, and we find that it will involve some fairly radical changes in the reverse gear on the lines of the latest J.3. box, and it will mean practically new pieces throughout the whole box, although in the main the gears will not be altered and the principle of the box would remain unchanged. From the point of view of the design work involved in carrying out this modification there would be no more labour in producing a scaled up box from the second speed synchro mesh model known as the J.3. and intended for use on the Vulture(Experimental 6 CYL OHV LONG STROKE / Aero Engine). This would be a separately mounted box apart from the engine. Some further work would of course be required for carrying the gearbox in the chassis and carrying the rear end of the engine independently and mounting the pedal gear, but part of this work has already been carried out, namely, the engine mounting and pedal gear in connection with the Vulture(Experimental 6 CYL OHV LONG STROKE / Aero Engine). If we go for the second speed synchro mesh on the present box there is a chance of getting this on the Phantom at next Olympia show, but if we go for the separately mounted engine and gearbox this would require more time but could probably be introduced as a mid-season improvement. The second proposition has also the advantage that the separately mounted box would be available for use on the Spectre(Codename for Phantom III) chassis which requires a stronger box than the Vulture(Experimental 6 CYL OHV LONG STROKE / Aero Engine) to deal with the heavier overall loads involved in carrying family bodies. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} are in favour of waiting a little longer rather than putting out a modification on a gearbox which might soon be out of date. In any case by arrangement between By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} the process of scaling up the designs of the second speed synchro mesh have been put in hand in BY's office., and this work can go on for some little time before the decision is taken as to which proposition shall be followed. E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||
From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).