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).
Justification and timeline for a 15,000-mile endurance test on a Phantom III car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\6\ scan0232 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1938 | |
| By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} 300B Rml/R.3.3.38. NEXT 15,000 MILE P.III CAR. We have completed experiments which indicate that there is a saving of £50 per chassis to be had if the parts in question will stand up to endurance running. In a number of cases it is also necessary to get these parts properly schemed out. A 15,000 mile test is so costly that it is impossible to justify it unless there are a large number of useful pieces on the car. The attached specification shows the minimum number of pieces which we think would justify an endurance run. In order to get the maximum value out of the test, it should be completed before the next batch of P.III material is ordered. Working backwards, we get the following results:- Next P.III material likely to be ordered .. Sept.1st. Therefore, 10,000 miles must start ........ July 1st. Car must go to test .................... June 1st. All drawings must be completed ........... April 20th. It will be seen that there are a number of drawings required. We should like to know whether, in view of the existing commitments on B.III and B.50 it is considered possible to complete the necessary drawings in six weeks. If it is not possible, then the only other alternative is to complete as many sections as we can, and possibly use the Paris Trials car with a view to cutting down the expense of the endurance running. Unless some decision is made, however, we shall drift on and find that none of the potential economies have materialised. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||