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).
'Rectaskid' anti-skidding fittings.
| Identifier | Morton\M20.3\ img018 | |
| Date | 11th June 1924 | |
| B.R. 493a (20H) (D.A. 652 20-3-24) J.H.D. A CATCHPENNY CRACKPOT IDEA WHICH CAUGHT HOOPERS EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. REF: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}6/L.G/11.6.24. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} EY. c. to PN.{Mr Northey} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} "RECTASKID". f4031 These fittings have been very widely advertised and remarkable claims have been made for them in connection with preventing skidding and increasing the comfort of springing. They consist of a thin strip of iron into which are imbedded some ½" balls which are free to revolve. Two of these strips are interleaved between the two top plates of the front and rear springs. The 40/50 HP. limousine used by Messrs. Hoopers as a Trials car, has been fitted with this device and they claim it has made remarkable improvements to this car. Their statement is that it was a particularly bad example of a 40/50 HP. for skidding before 'Rectaskids' were fitted. We had an opportunity of trying this car for a short distance in London - the roads were dry so that there was no chance of testing it for skids. The impression we got was that the car rolled badly on corners. We have since tested a set of 'Rectaskids' on a 40/50 HP. experimental car. (The makers recommend that with Rectaskids fitted, all shock absorbers both front and rear, should be left off). Our experience in fitting Rectaskids to a 40/50 HP. open car and releasing the shock absorbers as recommended was that it brings up all the troubles which we should anticipate when we get rid of all the damping friction in the springs and shock absorbers. contd:- | ||