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).
Extracts concerning discussions with the Belgian Air Command about fuel quality and engine silencing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\4\ Scan172 | |
| Date | 19th July 1933 | |
| COPY. Extracts from Memo: reference MMG3/ET.19.7.33. Sevres. Re: BELGIUM. MINISTRY. The writer had a long interview with Colonel Verelst during which the following subjects were discussed: A.{Mr Adams} FUEL. - Referring to your letter to General Gillieaux, we have once more drawn attention to the fact that inferior fuel is being used in our engines. Colonel Verelst fully agreed that this is the best way to damage engines and in his opinion the several fresh cases of cylinder leaks were probably due to bad petrol. He is also of the opinion that the pilots are very careless and over-boost the engines contrary to all instructions. The Belgian Air Command are buying a special test engine for determining the octane values of the fuel supplied by their contractors. Unfortunately, all the contracts were drawn up without mention of octane numbers, which of course is an oversight on the part of the Department or Committee concerned. Colonel Verelst intends to modify all contracts so as to have the octane numbers as one of the essential specifications for the fuel ordered. The installation of the test plant will take some time and therefore, in the meantime we could perhaps help the Belgians by testing samples of each batch of petrol supplied to the Air Command. Perhaps you could let us have your views on this matter as this question of fuel is of the greatest importance. C. Colonel Verelst has requested us to find out whether we could suggest any experimental scheme for the silencing of our engines. This would apply to the new bomber programme as the Air Command are very eager to make these new machines as silent as possible. In our humble opinion it will help us a very great deal if we can assist them in this direction; as you know, the Belgians have to re-equip their bomber squadrons and if our engines can be made a little less noisy than HISPANOS and others, it might help us with the contract. | ||