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).
Test report on the Goshawk I vehicle's performance, covering brakes, cooling, suspension, and drivetrain.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\2\ 02-page092 | |
| Date | 1st January 1921 | |
| Y200 Contd. Goshawk I - Y 3491 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/DMD/LGE.1.21. The side brake is excellent; it pulls the car up most efficiently without any tendency to jagger or sway. RADIATOR AND WATER SYSTEM. X.3531. Size of radiator in recent atmospheric temperatures and average running is almost 50% too large. We are compelled to run with this amount blanked off in order to be hot enough to obtain good distribution and as yet, have not had a case of boiling. We should like to bring Mr. Royce's attention to the hose connections with the new type of clips without corrugations, as we experienced the top radiator connection slipping off while running. CLUTCH. X.3525. Jaggers badly when engaging (this will be referred to later) but frees itself fairly well. SPRINGING. X.Y527. We originally tried springs of 450,500 and 800,900 lbs. but these were obviously too weak. We therefore fitted springs of 100 lbs. heavier all round. However, as previously stated, we are unable to load up the car sufficiently to be able to say much about the springing, as we have been compelled to limit the axle movement by buffers to about 4" so that we are incessantly hitting buffers on bad roads. This restricted movement is necessary as a safeguard against fouling the brake adjusting shafts by the rear springs. Mr. Royce has, of course, condemned the present arrangement and we are fitting his modification as soon as possible; until then, it is impossible to say much about springing, although the general sensation is a choppy one, partly brought about perhaps by the shorter wheelbase and one feels that the springs should be longer to give a slower undulating movement. WEIGHT. 300. Complete with water, oil, full 40/50 Petrol Tank, rough testing body, empty ballast Box and one spare wheel - Front -------- 9 cwts. 2 qrs. Rear --------- 11 " 1 " Total -------- 1 ton. 0 cwts. 3 qrs. GEAR RATIOS. Y.3493. Although, as previously stated, we have not been able to run the car fully loaded, we should say that the gear ratios are well arranged. Certainly the axle ratio promises to be ideal and we think that on very few hills, usually could it be necessary to change to second gear, while it is possible to reach a speed of 60 M.P.H. on the level. VIBRATION. X.3501. X.3525. A very puzzling period of vibration is passed through in each gear at about 8 to 10 M.P.H. and much experimental investigation is necessary before we can say anything definite about this. It apparently emanates from the gearbox and clutch, and leads one to think that the clutch jaggering when engaging is hand-in-hand with the cause of this period, as a similar effect is felt. Contd. | ||