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).
Investigation into the excessive use and expenditure of sparking plugs for aero engine test beds.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\2\ Scan314 | |
| Date | 27th March 1936 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst r6000. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/Thn5/MH.{M. Huckerby}27.3.36 re SPARKING PLUGS USED FOR AERO ENGINE TEST BEDS ----------------- We are astounded this morning, on investigation, to find that during the past month we have used over 500 sparking plugs for test purposes. You carry out a test and inspection of sparking plugs periodically, and on your report they are put into further service or condemned and replaced. We shall be glad if you will confirm that the tests and inspections you are making are such that we can substantiate, as we feel that the expenditure of the sparking plugs for test purposes is bound to be investigated sooner or later and we want to make sure that you are not condemning plugs which are fit or could be made fit for further service. On the figures above referred to it means that we are scrapping four plugs for every engine tested at the Works. We are now finding the use of KLSV7/3B to see if above can be reduced (now V9/.) EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/Thn [Signature] | ||