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).
Performance and future of all-steel bodies versus aluminium-panelled bodies, including concerns about rust.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 83\4\ scan0059 | |
| Date | 8th November 1935 | |
| x264a To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to War E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} re B-56-BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}7/E8.11.35 Thanks for Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}5/MJ.6.11.35. It is most encouraging to see how the all-steel body has stood up. The following is an extract from a memo. I have to-day written to the C.S.C. concerning the all-steel body etc., which is self-explanatory: ' With regard to the all-steel body I gather that Mr. Ward is not in favour of the all-steel body with the aluminium panels, that they are experiencing difficulty in fixing the latter to the frame and generally do not think that it will be such a good job as the all-steel body. ' They think we are unduly concerned about rust. They point out that they have been using on bodies for us steel wings for 2 years or more and have had practically no complaints of rust. " Whilst it was agreed that there was rust inside the Cadillac body, I do not think there was any showing outside and one doubts whether the inside rust matters very much. ' I attach memo. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} which is self-explanatory. ' I have told Park Ward that, if they are not in favour of the aluminium-panelled steel-framed body, they should write in and say so and give reasons. ' I should like to discuss this matter with you all in the near future because I think we must not order any more of the present form of construction, and in view of the wonderful way in which the all-steel body has stood up as compared with the normal type, it looks as if we ought to introduce it. ' 6-B-IV will be going for test in France very soon. It seems doubtful whether the aluminium and steel body will be ready in time. If it is, then we ought to get the result in good time, i.e. before we want to order any more bodies.' Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||