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).
Delays in manufacturing improved cross steering tube ends due to material sourcing issues and the seriousness of potential steering failure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\4\ Scan026 | |
| Date | 21th September 1917 | |
| Wop. c. to Id. c. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to EH. cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} to B. X3441 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}17/P21917. RE. IMPROVED CROSS STEERING TUBE ENDS. With reference to the instructions which were issued to the Works on the 4th. inst. for 100 cross steering tubes complete with the new ball end fittings (see my memo. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}25/R4917), Mr. Delooze has since this date been endeavouring to obtain a Ministry of Munitions Certificate to enable us to obtain the necessary material to manufacture these parts, but so far without success. The object of this memo. is to bring forward to all concerned the present position of this job, and the seriousness of a failure which may occur in case the steering, as it is at present, fails. I might add that we have circulated our various Repair Depots with the importance of this feature receiving very careful inspection and attention, and that the cars should not be allowed to run in service with the cross steering ends in any but a sound condition, even though existing [design of] parts have to be used. Pending the arrival of the necessary material, we are taking stock of the cross steering tubes and the new fittings which we have in the works in various stages, and by this means have certainly been able to arrange for a few of the most important cars in service at the front to have these new fittings. R.R. 285 A.{Mr Adams} 1770 H & S (D) 442. 9-6-17 C. 1964 | ||