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).
Revised design of the radiator shell for B.3 and B.50 models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\2\ scan0056 | |
| Date | 16th June 1938 | |
| 1280 DI/MS. C. Er. c. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Std. DA. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} 15/G.16.6.38. RE: RADIATORS. B.3 and B.50. Having now seen the first of the revised radiator shells for the above as fitted to 1-B-5, we have noticed a slight change in the characteristic of shape of the top tank shell. In the face it looks slightly less high shouldered, and on checking the detail we made we find that the sections as set out do differ from those of B.2 in such a way as to produce this effect. We have, therefore, made a revised detail for the top of the shell, which is equally applicable to B.3 and B.50, and which will restore this B.2 characteristic. Since, however, there is a consensus of opinion that the B.50 shell as made is possibly an improvement on the B.2 and more like the original "Speed Six" and Eight Litre Bentley of the original Company, it is not proposed to make any change at the moment, consequently the shell for the B.3 radiator of 2-B-5 is being brought through to the original design. It will be recalled that the B.2 shell shape was based on the last model of the old Bentley Company, that of the Ricardo 4 litre with side exhaust valves. This was a departure, as far as the feature in question was concerned, from previous radiator designs. Attached are prints of FD. {Frank Dodd - Bodies} 198. DA. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} | ||