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).
Viability of producing and fitting silent tappets to the remaining Phantom II chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\6\ Scan334 | |
| Date | 30th January 1935 | |
| Secret x7060 w/s Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Copy to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Py Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}12/T30.1.35. Re Silent Tappets on the Phantom. Referring to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/E28.1.35 and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/Kw18.1.35, there are roughly some 60 odd Phantom II chassis to make in the Works, and I am surprised that there is still a desire on the part of Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} to fit these tappets on the few remaining Phantoms. It is quite true, of course, that the drawings and design work has been completed, but there are no jigs and tools in existence to make these silent tappets, and the cost would be over £500 to make jigs and tools. Then of course, there is the time which would be taken to make jigs and tools, which is considerable, particularly when one realises that our Tool Room is already over crowded with work, and to my mind is over crowded with work which is more important than making tappets for Phantom II. Might I suggest, without wanting to create offence, that there has not been sufficient thought given to this matter. The facts are:- 1. Phantom, we hope, is tailing off rapidly. 2. Quite a number of automatic tappets for Phantom II have been produced and there are three sets in service, which should be ample for investigation purposes, particularly in view of the fact that additional experience is being obtained with hydraulic tappets on SpectreCodename for Phantom III Engines, of which four units are now in service. contd: | ||