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).
The problems with starting aero engines and the potential for a simple, light self-starter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 31\3\ Scan030 | |
| Date | 15th February 1915 | |
| -4- 15th. February, 1915. Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}/EH1/D15215. a strong point in the case of an aero engine which is started by cranking it round very slowly. It frequently happens as it is stopping the engine pre-ignites, and the engine turns backwards which fills the induction pipe with exhaust gases, after this has happened it means a good deal of cranking before the engine will start. I think there are possibilities of making a very simple and light self starter for aero engines now that we can practically guarantee that the engine will fire on the third compression. | ||