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).
Letter regarding cracked alloy pistons after 15,000 miles of testing and a request for replacements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 86\2\ scan0249 | |
| Date | 3rd September 1934 | |
| X 236. Exptl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KW. 3rd September, 1934. The Light Production Co,Ltd., 60/66, Rochester Row, Westminster. LONDON, S.W.1. For the attention of Mr. Brookes. Dear Sirs, We have now completed 15,000 miles in France on the RR.53 alloy pistons which we referred to in our letter of the 16th June, Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/KW. We find that two of them are cracked. You will recollect that similar pistons in your own alloy, referred to in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}21/KW.7.8.34, were also cracked. We therefore think it would be worth while for you to come up and see these pistons and discuss what can be done to overcome the trouble. We should like to point out that both these sets of pistons have been run under rather exceptional conditions, those in your own alloy having been subject to 20% higher than the standard output for 7 hours, and those in RR.53 alloy having been run under Continental conditions at maximum speeds. We do not know how you are progressing with your additional castings in RR.53, but we are in need of some more Aerolite pistons to replace the two sets which have proved defective. Since it now appears that failures can occur in both alloys we do not mind particularly which we use for these replacement pistons. This being so we shall be glad if you can let us have the set which is waiting for final grinding, and which is in your own alloy, as soon as possible. | ||