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).
Recommendation to retrospectively alter Condor engine starter switches to prevent a serious, life-threatening failure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 50\2\ Scan141 | |
| Date | 5th April 1921 | |
| [Header Information] W.R. 238A (100 T) (S H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 788. 10-12-20) G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2947 [Stamp: RECEIVED APR 1921 HS {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ] [Handwritten:] X4309 [Crossed out handwritten text:] BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Mr. H.S. c. to Mr. B.R. c. to H.B. c. to F.H.G. [Document Content] EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 10/H5.4.21. X.4309 RE. CONDOR ENGINE STARTER SWITCHES. With reference to your BY18/P10.3.21 - my recommendations on this matter are that the switches should be altered retrospectively. We have certainly had one experience of a starter switch burning out, owing to the switch not having broken contact properly as the engine did not "start up". Since that time we have been careful in adjusting the present mechanism, so that as far as possible we can get as much break as possible should the engine not start after making contact. At the same time what we have done is only a 'fake', and I do not feel that it should be allowed to remain in this condition for service conditions. We have certainly not had much trouble so far in this direction as only a very few Condor are put into service, and those which are in service are under the strict attention of our own mechanics and have done little or no flying. We therefore recommend that action should be taken to retrospectively correct these switches, and not wait until failure has actually taken place, which can be very serious, in fact may be a life or death job. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||