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).
Test report on the Goshawk model after a 1500-mile trip, detailing issues with oil consumption, handling, and a wheel rim failure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan380 | |
| Date | 9th August 1922 | |
| S/W Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Handwritten note] хщорь Hgl/C9.8.22. Dear Hives, Re Goshawk. I got over the best part of 1500 miles - Boulogne, Biarritz, etc., - from the 24th to the 30th ult., and apart from tyre troubles the car ran very well. There were one or two points which struck me, however, which might be of interest to you:- 1. She seems to use an excessive quantity of lubricating oil; 2. In cornering, the car gives one the impression of being top-heavy. This may, of course, be due to the body or the springing; 3. The timing gear is noisy; 4. For some of the French roads, i.e. the exceedingly bad ones, the steering gives one the feeling of being too light, more especially at any speed. I received the new spare wheel on my return to Boulogne, and despatched the old spare wheel, minus the retaining rim, to Derby packed in the crate, per Messrs. Hernu Peron. I would explain I was running at about 35 m.p.h., when the near rear tyre either punctured or blew off. On stopping and examining the tyre I found the retaining rim had disappeared. I thoroughly searched both the vicinity and the road, grass tracks and ditches at sides for five miles back, but was unable to find this rim, hence my wire for a new rim. I might say I have heard of one other case of a rim blowing off and disappearing, and I am of the opinion that this form of rim will not be satisfactory until some form of locking device is fitted. Yours truly, [Signature] Edwd. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hughes PS. With regard to the attached minutes re the experimental front springs, Bk.{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager} examined these two springs and found that there was no packing under the buffers, so it was not, of course, possible to have this removed. | ||