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).
Plan to build a second Spectre engine using lightweight steel and magnesium components to reduce weight.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\4\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 4th July 1934 | |
| 358 GRY{Shadwell Grylls} To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By NHC. re SpectreCodename for Phantom III. We wish to build up the second SpectreCodename for Phantom III engine with light weight steel cylinder liners and using magnesium instead of aluminium wherever possible, by which means we hope to reduce the weight very considerably. The instructions for doing this are set out in E/JNR.{Charles L. Jenner}3/HP.4.7.34. There are approximately 40 pieces including some quite large castings like the oil base, clutch casings and wheelcase,which we think can be made in magnesium. The tappet blocks at present in cast iron are much heavier than we should like, and we have instructed these in RR. piston alloy. With the cylinder liners in nitro hardened austenitic steel it will be necessary to reduce the piston clearances cold so as to obtain the hot clearances we use at present. This remark applies only to normal types of pistons. The Aerolite will require special consideration. The cylinder liners should be copper plated before being subjected to the nitriding process, with the object of overcoming the trouble of soft spots. E/. | ||