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 lack of lubrication on the 5-Goshawk-II car due to a rushed testing schedule, and findings from lubrication tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan294 | |
| Date | 26th May 1922 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} X4086 Hsl/LG26.5.22. 5-GOSHAWK II. X.4086. -- We admit that it was a great mistake that 5-Goshawk-II never received reasonable and regular attention to lubrication of chassis parts. The original programme for the running of this car was altered owing to instructions from London that it must be run 350 miles per day. In the anxiety to complete this daily test of 350 miles, it was started before proper consideration had been given as to how and when the car should receive the necessary attention. The point we wish to make clear is that 5-Goshawk-II is the only Goshawk car which has been subjected to such treatment. The other six Goshawk cars have been regularly lubricated and cleaned. With the Goshawk we are, however, trying to increase the periods before lubrication compared with the instructions given for the 40/50. In order to prove this we have made a number of careful tests with lubrication and examined parts after certain miles running. We find that all parts which are effectively protected will run at least 1,000 miles after being thoroughly lubricated. The worst condition for destroying the lubrication and causing excessive wear is when the car is run over wet, muddy roads. Under these conditions parts which are not protected need lubrication daily. On dry roads, parts such as spring shackles are Contd. | ||