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).
Requesting the rebuilding of B.V. gearboxes to address the lack of a reverse gear.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 99\4\ scan0196 | |
| Date | 8th March 1939 | |
| To HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} 428 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}4/WH.8.3.39. B.V. GEARBOXES. The helical first speed is a great success but, unfortunately, the box has no reverse gear. Will you therefore, please rebuild the various boxes as follows:- 3.B.V. Refit standard ratios, and shorten sliding pieces so that the teeth do not engage before the cam is free of its ramp. 7.B.V. (Magnesium box). Fit the helical reverse using parts now in 3.B.V. to make up a complete box except for 2nd. speed which we realise will be missing. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||