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).
The failure of a poorly designed two-piece gear change speed shaft.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\January1927-March1927\ 68 | |
| Date | 4th February 1927 | |
| AJS. TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) C. to BJ. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ORIGINAL R7/M1.2.27. DESPATCHED FROM WW. 4.2.27. GEAR CHANGE - 7-EX. X8370 Greatly to our surprise, and luckily at the garage, the change speed shaft has been made up of tube and plug, unbrazed, just driven in and secured by 2 small dia. taper pins, which have sheared, and put the car hors de combat for some hours. (Luckily this happened at the garage.) Awfully feeble, who-ever the author: why not solid in one piece? R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||