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).
Clarifying a serious stub axle failure during a 15,000 miles test, which was more severe than the initially reported pivot failure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0284 | |
| Date | 14th May 1935 | |
| x 200 a To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} ~~Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}E~~ ~~By Ba.~~ re 15,000 Miles Test - 5-B-IV. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}24/E14.5.35 Referring to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/KW.13.5.35 you say that from Hancock's daily report I will see that he has had a pivot failure. The report, however, indicates to me something much more serious than that, i.e. that a stub axle broke off just behind the rear ball race. This of course is an appalling thing to happen as it means the wheel coming off and probably a fatal accident to the occupants of the car. It is certainly important that the parts are returned to Derby for examination and I shall be very anxious to hear the result. I note that the parts in question have done a previous 15,000 miles test but, as the accident occurred at just under 8,000 miles on 5-B-IV, the total running would be much less than the 30,000 referred to in your memo. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||