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).
Abandoning a test on Intava I.A.A.716 oil and discussing test results of a similar oil, I.A.A.741.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 143\3\ scan0063 | |
| Date | 8th January 1940 | |
| 12047 c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Jso. Lr{Mr Ellor}/GM.3/WI.8.1.40. INTAVA OIL TESTS-Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/MH.{M. Huckerby}2.11.39. In connection with the attached correspondence concerning the Intava oil I.A.A.716, which was delivered to us for test on a Vulture engine, I understand that this test is now likely to be abandoned. On 8.1.40 I took a telephone call from Mr.Bass, speaking from the Air Ministry, and he said that in view of the successful completion of a 100 hrs.type test on Vulture, using standard D.T.D.109 oil, there was no object in proceeding with the test on the I.A.A.716 oil, and he would make arrangements with the Intava people to take back the oil in our possession. It seems that the only object in testing this oil was to find an alternative to the Robertson's dope. Mr.Bass informed me that the I.A.A. 716 oil was similar to the I.A.A.741 we tested on a Merlin XII engine recently, but contained double the quantity of corrosion inhibitor- i.e., 1% instead of 0.5% of 1%. The corrosion inhibitor is added to overcome trouble experienced on Bristol engines with cadmium bearings. By increasing the inhibitor content to 1% the oil people think they also obtain an E.P. effect. Our results on two tests with the I.A.A.741 oil were not too good. The engine was extremely dirty after both tests, and on one occasion had a number of gummed piston rings. This may have been due to some detonation which was present during that test. We did, however, clear the oil for use in the Australian Air Force as they are using it extensively on other makes of engines. Lr{Mr Ellor}/GM. | ||