Explosions in the New Phantom silencer and issues with throttle control, comparing the model to the Silver Ghost.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan352 | |
| Date | 15th October 1926 | |
| RJ. Copies to:- C. W. O.B. HS. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Handwritten: X4117, X8230, Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} SIX WORST FEATURES. No. 2. Explosions in New Phantom(Codename for PHANTOM I) silencer and desirability of more positive throttle control by the governor. The above trouble was agreed between C. and W. to be, in importance, the 2nd. of the Six Worst features on the New Phantom(Codename for PHANTOM I). I regret to note that the report to H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} reference Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /AJLL/T7.10.26 on the explosion trouble only, of which you have circulated your copy to me, holds out little, if any, probability of improvement with the present design. There are several points, however, which are not mentioned in the report but which are of great importance and of which you should have knowledge. For example, in summing up his report Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} states in 1 and 2 that the Phantom is only slightly worse that the Silver Ghost(1907 40/50 historic RAC 15,000 miles trial) in respect of explosions and that the throttle is more difficult to adjust and more likely to require adjustment. With regard to this it should be pointed out that explosions in the exhaust on the Silver Ghost(1907 40/50 historic RAC 15,000 miles trial) were a very minor complaint indeed by owners and could in 90% of the cases be overcome by cleaning the throttle and seeing that it closed correctly. This was quite a simple matter and could be carried out in a few minutes by drivers. Indeed, the majority of drivers having the advantage on the Silver Ghost(1907 40/50 historic RAC 15,000 miles trial) of being able to dismantle the throttle without the use of any tool, used to clean it at least once a week. Almost as often as the air valve. On the New Phantom(Codename for PHANTOM I) on the other hand, not only can they not do this but to get at it it is necessary to remove the carburettor, and a mass of controls. Br. {T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} allows 2 hours to an expert man for the job, cleaning, attention and adjustment to the throttle are not even mentioned in the Instruction Book, so although the Phantom requires more constant attention than the Silver Ghost(1907 40/50 historic RAC 15,000 miles trial), not only is it a very serious job to give it, but no instructions as to how it should be done have been given to users. Under these circumstances Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 's conclusion No.3 which is to the effect that, when this fault occurs it will be found to be due to the fact that the best is not being made of the present /over | ||
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).