Brake failure on car 6.B.IV in France due to a transverse rod pulling out of its threaded socket.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 83\2\ scan0217 | |
| Date | 8th February 1938 | |
| 200a HPS. {Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} from Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /AFM. {Anthony F. Martindale} c. Ey. c. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /IMW. {Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} (Chateauroux(French test region)) Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /AFM {Anthony F. Martindale} 6/R.8.2.38. BRAKE FAILURE - 6.B.IV IN FRANCE. A transverse rod from the rear equalizer has failed, by pulling out of the threaded socket. We do not know why it failed, because the stress is only 28,000 lbs square inch at 200 lbs on the pedal, and this should be sufficient to lock the wheels under any condition; but we consider that if we used 5/16" threads instead of the present 1/4" threads we should feel happier about the car in France. We want you to make the new parts listed in memo Ey/Cr {Mr Cra’ster / Mr Chichester} 14/E.8.2.38. with all despatch, and get them out to France before anyone is hurt. You will note that the aluminium bronze equalizer is not the weakest part of the system. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /AFM. {Anthony F. Martindale} | ||
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).