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).
Letter from the Royal Air Force regarding specifications for a winch cable for winch-launching.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 175\2\ img071 | |
| Date | 17th February 1941 | |
| SECRET. Headquarters, Central Landing Establishment, Royal Air Force, Ringway, Nr. Manchester. Ref:- CLE/S.1406/2/S. 17th February, 1941. Winch Cable. Dear Sirs, Referring to your letter Rn.{Mr Robinson}6/SW of 9th February, 1941, attached is a memorandum on wire ropes suitable for winch-launching. 2. The weights to be towed are 2000 lbs flying light and 3500 lbs loaded. A cable of strength not less than 5000 lbs should be used. The most suitable cable on the Air Ministry stores list is one of 45 cwt breaking strain, described as "extra flexible wire cable", and is normally used for control cables and similar fittings on aircraft. This cable has a steel centre, but no cable with a rope centre appears on the Air Ministry Stores List. The reference number of this cable is 28C/3452. 3. It has not been possible at short notice to get hold of a sample of this cable. The sample enclosed is of 35 cwt cable. (Ref.28C/3451) which is not more than 1/16" smaller in diameter than the 45 cwt cable which is recommended for final use. This sample of 35 cwt cable is supplied without any splices in it. It should be borne in mind, when designing pulleys and guides for use with this cable that there will have to be an eye-splice at the end of the cable and that lengths of the cable will have to be joined by "long-splices" - also called "junction-splices" -, so that both these types of splice will have to pass through the guides. Provision should also be made, if possible, for lubricating the cable. Yours faithfully, [Signature] Group Captain, Commandant, Central Landing Establishment, Royal Air Force, Ringway. Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Ltd., Derby. | ||