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 from High Duty Alloys Ltd. discussing the use of pressed pistons for Merlin engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\1\ scan0324 | |
| Date | 12th May 1941 | |
| HIGH DUTY ALLOYS LTD. TELEPHONE: SLOUGH 21201 (PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE) TELEGRAMS: ALLOYS, SLOUGH. DIRECTORS: W. C. DEVEREUX, F.R.Ae.S., (Managing) DUNCAN McKELLAR H G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} HERRINGTON S. SANDERS W. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} PRYTHERCH, M.Sc. SECRETARY: F.{Mr Friese} J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} S. LAWRENCE Our Ref. WCD/RMM. Your Ref. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}10/ML. 89, BUCKINGHAM AVENUE, TRADING ESTATE, SLOUGH. BUCKS. 12th May, 1941. [Handwritten]: 1256 [Stamp]: RECEIVED 15 MAY 1941 WN W.A.Robotham, Esq., Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd. D E R B Y. Dear Robotham, Thank you for your letter of the 8th. As I understand the service on the piston for these Merlin engines is not so great as is usual in aircraft, I am wondering if you would care to try pressed pistons, pressed not from a forged dummy as is usual for the higher service required of aircraft pistons, but pressed direct from a cast billet. I might say that we have had some through type test on a lower powered engine, the Cheetah, and they have been quite successful. If this style of pressed piston were adopted it would show an even greater saving of material than with a die casting; it would be stronger, have less scrap during manufacture and machining, and it would be hoped that no more man-hours would be necessary during its manufacture. I have asked my people to produce a drawing for submission to you. Yours sincerely, W.C.Devereux. | ||