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).
Visit to Martlesham investigating engine 'cutting out' issues on a Hawker Fury aircraft at high altitude.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\2\ img026 | |
| Date | 9th December 1931 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lov.{Mr Lovesey} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Rg.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Lr.{Mr Ellor} c. to Mr. Jaques (A.I.D.) K1908 Hawker's VISIT TO MARTLESHAM - 'CUTTING OUT' TROUBLE ON 'FURY'. Yesterday I went to Martlesham with Capt. Shepherd on the Ill F.{Mr Friese} from Tollerton to investigate the "cutting out" trouble on the Hawker 'Fury' which occurs at high altitudes. I went over all the data they had collected on their test flights with Sqd/Ldr. Mc Kenna, Fl/Lt. Boothman and F/L. Addams and this first hand information from the pilots concerned was certainly very helpful. In the first place with the engine in its std. form the absolute limit of operation was about 25000 ft. and - 35°C. when the engine would 'cut out'. Just previous to reaching this temp. the altitude control had to be in the full strong position as any weakening off brought on the trouble earlier. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}/Ldr. Mc Kenna tried the effect of water jacketing the petrol filter which is situated just before the carburetter. This had the effect of enabling about 3° lower temp. to be reached before 'cutting out'. The modified induction pipe was tested but with no improvement. The redistributer - which is the standard fitting to the moderate supercharged engines - was fitted and a climb was made to 28000 ft. and - 39°C. without encountering any 'cutting out'. This altitude and temp. was not exceeded on this test. Today F/L. Boothman made a repeat climb but we had to leave before his return in order to reach Tollerton before dark. I phoned Martlesham on return and found that he had encountered 'cutting out' at a temp. of -38°C. which was disappointing in view of the previous successful test. F/L. Adams who has done most of the flying of this machine described the general symptoms as follows:- Up to about 20,000 ft. normal progressive use of the A/C. can be made after which height it is found necessary to progressively return to the strong position in order to keep up the engine revs. At about 25,000 ft. the engine commences to be erratic and wet fuel is sprayed from the | ||