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).
Development direction for the Goshawk and Seagull projects, focusing on chassis and universal joint reliability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\4\ scan0015 | |
| Date | 7th February 1923 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. X9810 (crossed out) X9770 R1/M7.2.23. RE. GOSHAWK 1 AND SEAGULL. X.9810 X.3481. X.3324 With reference to Goshawk l. I think this should be made into a satisfactory running chassis for the sake of the education we can get from it. For the time being I have decided it is the best policy to go on with the Seagull as we have it, that is, the Goshawk scheme, with certain modifications that we already have, such as engine on under frame, separate gearbox etc. After I return from Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence I shall again go over the question of universal joints to find out whether we can make these more reliable and lasting. I do not think however that they need give any serious cause for anxiety as there are so many cars running satisfactorily with open propeller shafts, such as our earlier 40/50s, Delage, Daimler, London 'buses, etc. The only other chassis we can consider is that like Goshawk l. and the Marmon. Goshawk l. was originally intended to be a model for the Seagull, but having found Goshawk ll. so very satisfactory we decided that this is in many ways the better scheme as regards holding the road, lightness of back axle etc. We ought to work at the universal joints until there is no cause for anxiety on these. Kindly report on the condition of the joints on the Delage. These we should expect to be bad. Also the Essex, which we know are not oil retaining. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||